Tel :
Tel :
Japanese steelmakers are currently negotiating export prices for cold-rolled coils and coated sheets scheduled for June shipment; prices are expected to maintain an upward trend as companies continue to pass costs on to downstream sectors.
Since the beginning of the year, Japanese steelmakers have raised prices by a cumulative $30–50 per tonne for shipments scheduled between January and March. While negotiations for June shipments have not yet concluded, CFR prices are expected to rise by another $30–40 per tonne. A463 HSLAS-F Grade 60(410) Aluminized steel, Looking at the April–June period overall, cumulative price increases for certain orders bound for Central and South America have reached $50–100 per tonne; specifically, export prices to Mexico stand at approximately $750/tonne (CFR) for cold-rolled coils and $850/tonne (CFR) for galvanized sheets.
Driven by ongoing instability in the Middle East, ocean freight rates have risen by $10–30 per tonne, while rising raw material costs and tightening shipping capacity are also providing price support. Against this backdrop, FOB export quotes for certain regions have also been raised by approximately $50 per tonne.
However, the magnitude of price increases varies across markets. In markets where the influx of Chinese steel is restricted—such as Mexico and Brazil—Japanese steelmakers have successfully implemented FOB price hikes of approximately $50 per tonne. A463 HSLAS-F Grade 60(410) Aluminized steel, Conversely, in distant markets free from trade barriers, Chinese mills have passed on only a portion of rising freight costs, resulting in limited FOB price increases that constrain Japanese price quotes.
Meanwhile, domestic prices for cold-rolled coils and coated sheets in China have remained generally stable; coupled with the ability to source certain raw materials domestically or from Russia, the pressure to pass on costs remains relatively weak.
The Middle East remains a key export market for Japan, though there has been no significant shift of cold-rolled coils and coated sheets to other regions so far. A463 HSLAS-F Grade 60(410) Aluminized steel, Overall export volumes remain steady at around 9 million tonnes, although market observers suggest that some supplies may be flowing to Africa or being shipped via alternative routes.
Negotiations for June shipments are expected to conclude within April, while talks for July shipments will likely begin after the "Golden Week" holiday. Steelmakers plan to continue passing on costs—aiming for a further price hike of over $30 per tonne—but the evolving situation in the Middle East could disrupt production schedules in downstream sectors like home appliances, introducing uncertainty into the negotiations.
