Aug. Japan steel export set the highest level since the financial crisis

Oct. 12 MetalBiz--In August, Japan exported 3.3mln tons of steel products, being the highest level since the global financial crisis in September 2008.

Among the August steel exports, semi-products exports hit 610,000 tons, which was the second-highest level since 1990; flat products exports totaled to 2.26mln tons. In August, Japan's steel exports to Asia reached 2.82mln tons, to South Korea for 905,000 tons, which were the best levels since September 2008, besides to Taiwan China for 352,000 tons.

During the January-August period of 2009, Japan's steel exports totaled to 19.3mln tons, in details, the exports of semi-products were 3.54mln tons, down by 3% year on year; that of long products were 1.93mlnn tons, down by 43% on a yearly basis; that of flat products hit 12.4mln tons, down by 26% year on year; that of steel tube were 1.35mln tons, down by 40% on an annual basis. Since June, 2009, Japan's steel exports posted upturn, but in January-August, the exports were still lower than the same period last year's 25.9mln tons.