Japan, the second largest iron ore importer of the world, recorded decline in imports in Jan’18. The imports witnessed at 10.62 MnT in Jan’18, down 10% as against 11.76 MnT in Dec’17.
In Jan’18, Japan’s crude steel output witnessed increase by 4%,M-o-M to 9.03 MnT against 8.72 MnT in Dec’17. However on yearly basis, the crude steel output remained stable at 9 MnT in Jan’18 and Jan’17.
Agglomerated (pellets/concentrate) iron ore imports were down 13% M-o-M to 1.24 MnT in Jan’18 as against 1.42 MnT in Dec’17. However, It witnessed an increase of 24% Y-o-Y in Jan’18 as against Jan’17 at 1 MnT.
The non-agglomerated (fines/lump) iron ore imports witnessed a decline of 9% to 9.37 MnT in Jan’18 as against Dec’17 at 10.34 MnT. The Y-o-Y imports depicted marginal increase of 2% in Jan’18 as compared to Jan’17 which was recorded at 9.21 MnT.
Iron ore imports from Australia declined marginally
Australia continues to remain the largest iron ore exporter to Japan in the month of Jan’18 with total quantity of 6.51 MnT, contributing 61% of total import share (down marginally M-o-M), followed by Brazil at 2.73 MnT (down 27% M-o-M). South Africa exports to Japan in Jan’18 recorded at 0.38 MnT, up by more than two fold M-o-M.
Country Wise Iron Ore Import Jan’18 v/s Dec’17
| Country | Jan’18 | Dec’17 | M-o-M (%) | Jan’17 | Y-o-Y (%) |
| Australia | 6.51 | 6.6 | -1% | 5.65 | 15% |
| Brazil | 2.73 | 3.74 | -27% | 2.58 | 6% |
| South Africa | 0.38 | 0.12 | 217% | 0.58 | -34% |
| Canada | 0.34 | 0.58 | -41% | 0.43 | -21% |
| India | 0.29 | 0.13 | 123% | 0.31 | -6% |
| Mauritania | 0.15 | 0 | 100% | 0.15 | 0% |
| United States | 0.13 | 0.13 | 0% | 0.13 | 0% |
| Others | 0.09 | 0.46 | -80% | 0.39 | -77% |
| Grand Total | 10.62 | 11.76 | -10% | 10.21 | 4% |
Quantity in MnT
Source: Japan Customs
Provisional Data
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