Japan: Cold-Rolled Steel Products Market 2025

Cold-Rolled Steel Products Market Size in Japan

The Japanese cold-rolled steel products market rose sharply to $X in 2022, picking up by 14% against the previous year. In general, the total consumption indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -6.9% against 2020 indices. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cold-Rolled Steel Products Production in Japan

In value terms, cold-rolled steel products production dropped to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Cold-Rolled Steel Products Exports

Exports from Japan

Cold-rolled steel products exports from Japan declined to X tons in 2022, reducing by -11.1% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, exports showed a pronounced shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 27%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cold-rolled steel products exports rose to $X in 2022. In general, exports saw a mild shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 49%. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Indonesia (X tons), Thailand (X tons) and China (X tons) were the main destinations of cold-rolled steel products exports from Japan, together comprising 55% of total exports. Vietnam, Mexico, Malaysia, India, Taiwan (Chinese), Costa Rica, South Korea, the Philippines, Colombia and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 33%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Italy (with a CAGR of +34.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Indonesia ($X), Thailand ($X) and China ($X) were the largest markets for cold-rolled steel products exported from Japan worldwide, with a combined 50% share of total exports. Mexico, Vietnam, India, South Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan (Chinese), the Philippines, Italy, Costa Rica and Colombia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 36%.

Italy, with a CAGR of +18.4%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average cold-rolled steel products export price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 16% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by 17%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Korea ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Costa Rica ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to South Korea (+7.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cold-Rolled Steel Products Imports

Imports into Japan

In 2022, imports of flat-rolled products of iron or steel (not further worked than cold-rolled) into Japan reduced to X tons, which is down by -8.1% on the previous year's figure. Overall, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 25%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cold-rolled steel products imports totaled $X in 2022. In general, total imports indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +70.6% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 59%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2022, South Korea (X tons) constituted the largest cold-rolled steel products supplier to Japan, with a 61% share of total imports. Moreover, cold-rolled steel products imports from South Korea exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), threefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from South Korea stood at -2.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Taiwan (Chinese) (+4.0% per year) and China (+4.7% per year).

In value terms, South Korea ($X), Taiwan (Chinese) ($X) and China ($X) constituted the largest cold-rolled steel products suppliers to Japan, with a combined 96% share of total imports.

In terms of the main suppliers, China, with a CAGR of +12.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average cold-rolled steel products import price amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 17% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, cold-rolled steel products import price increased by +44.0% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 27%. The import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for South Korea ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+7.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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