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| Nippon Steel and JFE Steel sheet steel |
Japanese Steelmakers Adjust Domestic Sheet Prices
Nippon Steel and JFE Steel announced price increases for domestic sheet steel due to rising raw material and logistics costs. The increase targets hot-rolled, cold-rolled, and coated steel supplied to distributors and industrial users. This adjustment marks the first significant price revision for these products since early 2024.
Nippon Steel raised thin-gauge rolled steel prices by 10,000 yen per ton ($63/t) effective April. The move covers hot-rolled black sheet, pickled, cold-rolled, and coated products. Meanwhile, JFE Steel implemented a similar 10,000 yen per ton increase for May shipments. Both steelmakers cited higher operating expenses and raw material costs as key drivers.
As a result, affected customers include distributors and manufacturers of pipes and light structural profiles. Long-term automotive contracts are exempted. In contrast, China’s Baoshan Iron & Steel Co raised major flat steel prices by 200 yuan per ton ($29/t) for domestic sales in April. This trend reflects regional cost pressures and global market dynamics affecting steel margins.
ScrapInsight Commentary
The price hikes reflect persistent cost pressures in Japan’s steel industry and may support margins for domestic producers. Short-term impacts will affect distributors and light industrial users, while automotive contracts remain stable. This adjustment highlights the importance of efficient supply chain management amid global raw material volatility.
