Tex reported that Japan"s Kanto Tetsugen cooperative association of ferrous scrap dealers has sold 2 trading houses a total of 20,000 tonnes of number 2 HMS at an average JPY 14,163 per tonne FAS Tokyo Bay in the tender the association held on November 11th 2008 to export locally available ferrous scrap from the Kanto area for December 2008 shipment.
The average price indicates a fall of JPY 30,137 from the winning bid in Kanto Tetsugen"s sales tender that took place September 10th 2008. The average price represents a low level for the first time in nearly 5 and a half years in the association"s monthly export tender. For its part, the association canceled its tender held on October 9th 2008 because all the trading houses with bidding rights opted out.
Mr Atsushi Watanabe president of Kanto Tetsugen made his comments November 11th 2008 to the following effect.
1. The winning bids this time amount to a favorable price level, given the current export market for Japanese ferrous scrap. The association opted to sell a maximum 20,000 tonnes in hopes that its export tender next will bring better results.
2. The ferrous scrap cargoes sold may be allocated to export shipments for China.
3. A nonstop fall has ended in Japan"s ferrous scrap export market. As a result, it is understood that the export market has hit bottom for the present. It is uncertain, though, whether a runaway export market will arise.