Crude Steel Production in January-March Quarter to be 24.15 Million Tons / Demand Expected to be Strong, Predicted to Increase for 4 Quarters in a Row / Predicted by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)

摘要

According to the predictions of steel demand in the January-March quarter of 2022 announced by METI, the crude steel production volume is expected to be 24.15 million tons. While it will be a 1.4% decrease compared to the expected volume for the OctoberDecember quarter, it will also be a 1.9% increase compared to the same period of the previous year and the fourth quarter in a row for the numbers to rise. Steel demand has continued to be strong especially in the domestic market, and it is expected that the production activities of steelmakers will remain at high levels during the next quarter as well. On the other hand there are also worrying factors such as the effects of COVID-19 variants and in addition changes to automobile production caused by complications in the supply chain. METI stated “We need to be aware of downside risks.”