Japan’s scrap imports slide in May

Japan – Japan’s scrap imports fell sharply during May, according to figures released by the country’s Ministry of Finance. Totalling 12 500 tonnes, volumes were 28.7% lower than in the same month last year and down 41.9% from the previous month.

The largest scrap exporter to Japan was South Korea with 6000 tonnes shipped during May, followed by Taiwan on 2200 tonnes – a total nearly 50% lower than that of May 2013. In third place was the USA, with its exports to Japan amounting to 2100 tonnes for a 35% decline over the same month last year.

However, Japan’s scrap imports across the first five months of 2014 were a massive 230% higher than in January-May 2013 at 260 000 tonnes. During this period, the USA was Japan’s largest overseas scrap supplier on 102 200 tonnes, followed by Hong Kong on 65 600 tonnes and South Korea on 39 800 tonnes.