Japan: Iron Ore Imports Stable in Nov’18

Japan, the second largest iron ore importer of the world, recorded iron ore imports at 10.6 MnT in Nov’18, stable on monthly basis. However, on yearly basis imports dropped slightly as against 10.74 MnT in Nov’17.

For the duration Jan-Nov’17, iron ore imports witnessed at 114.24 MnT down slightly as compared to imports in last year for Jan-Nov’17 at 114.85 MnT.

Japan’s Crude Steel output up marginally in Nov’18

In Nov’18, Japan’s crude steel output increased slightly to 8.66 MnT against 8.58 MnT in Oct’18.On yearly basis, the output stood stable as compared to Nov’17 productions at 8.70 MnT.

The non-agglomerated (fines/lump) iron ore imports in Nov’18 witnessed at 9.34 MnT, stable M-o-M as against Oct’18 imports at 9.32 MnT. On yearly basis, imports stood almost in line with Nov’17 imports at 9.4 MnT.

Agglomerated (pellets/concentrate) imports recorded at 1.26 MnT in Nov’18, down marginally as against 1.28 MnT in Oct’18. The agglomerated ore imports in Nov’18 fell 6% on yearly basis as against 1.34 MnT in Nov’17.

Australian exports to Japan dropped marginally M-o-M

Australia continues to remain the largest iron ore exporter to Japan for the month of Nov’18 with total quantity of 5.84 MnT(down 3% on monthly basis) contributing 55% share of total Japanese import, followed by Brazil at 2.68 MnT.

Japanese imports from Canada, South Africa and United States dropped to 0.73 MnT, 0.25 MnT and 0.23 MnT respectively.

Country Wise Iron Ore Import

Quantity in MnT
Source: Japan Customs
Provisional Data