09/04/26
Japan’s scrap export tender hits 3‑year high in April
Shanghai, 9 April (Argus) — The Japanese scrap dealer cooperative Kanto Tetsugen
export tender continued its strong upward momentum in April, reaching its
highest level since March 2023. A total of 10,000t of H2 scrap was awarded at
¥54,329/t ($342/t) free alongside ship (fas) today, up by ¥4,208/t from March,
Kanto Tetsugen said. This is equivalent to ¥55,329/t ($348.5/t) on an fob basis.
The tender cargo is likely to be shipped to Bangladesh again, market
participants indicated, combined shipment with shindachi cargoes to optimize
freight costs. The seaborne market was surprised by the tender result as it was
far above expectations. Prior to the tender, most overseas buyers were targeting
below ¥52,000/t fob for H2, even as available offers remained limited. In the
domestic market, H2 prices were around ¥51,000-52,000/t, while dockside
collection prices stood at ¥51,000-51,500/t fas. Traders are now watching how
much Tokyo Steel will raise its domestic purchase prices in response to the
sharply higher tender outcome. Most Japanese traders expect the tender result to
drive export offers higher, although it remains uncertain whether overseas
buyers can match these levels. "Export negotiations will become increasingly
difficult due to the widening price gap," a Japanese trader said. The Argus
daily assessment for H2 scrap fob Japan stood at ¥51,300/t on 8 April, compared
with a March monthly average of ¥48,950/t fob. Send comments and request more
information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All
rights reserved.
