JMB reported that Japanese steel plate demand is expected to only around 3 million tonnes in April to June 2011 period due to slow demand after the major earthquake.
The demand decreased in March especially in construction and industrial machinery for Tohoku area after the quake while the domestic plate demand was around 20% higher in fiscal 2010 than fiscal 2009 level.The demand is estimated to be lower in January to March 2011 period than 3.2 million tonnes in October to December 2010 with 2.24 million tonnes in domestic market and 960,000 tonnes for export. The demand keeps low for April to June period when the rebuilding demand starts in and after July 2011.
( Source: www.steelguru.com )