The Japan Iron & Steel Federation compiled the import statistics released by the Ministry of Finance into the table attached hereto with regard to the imports of stainless steel products during February 2012.
Total imports in February were 13,243 tonnes, down by 13.3% MoM from January 2012. Basically every year, imports of SUS products in February 2012 drop compared to its preceding month, before a small recovery in March 2012.
Comparison of February 2012 imports with January 2012 regarding the three major sources gives the following changes, Korea: down 6.3%, Taiwan: down 26.9% and China: down 39.2%. Imports from most of the originating countries dropped.
Total value of the imports was USD 50.761 million with an averaged unit price of USD 3,833.0 per tonne, slightly up by 1.0% from the preceding month. Prices of the products from China Taiwan and minor origins were up, while the price of the cargo imported from Korea slid.
Total imported quantity of special steel products, including the stainless steel products, in February 2012 was 37,308 tonnes, noticeably up by 25% MoM from January 2012. This big gain was because of the increase in imports of other special steel products, which was 24,065 tonnes, up by as much as 65.2% from the preceding month.
Source: TEX Report Limited