2011 July Zn Imports and Exports Data Analysis

SHANGHAI, Aug. 1 (SMM)--

Zinc concentrate:

According to China Customs, domestic zinc concentrate imports in June were 184.4 kt, down 21.92%, and YTD imports through June were 1.38 kt, also down 8.5% YoY.

Although zinc concentrate imports from Australia and Kazakhstan grew significantly, total import volumes in June fell sharply MoM. Zinc concentrate imports from Peru were 47,454 mt in May, but only 14,583 mt in June, a drop of 69.27% MoM. Zinc concentrate imports from Macedonia were 46,314 mt in May, but no imports were made in June.

Zinc concentrate imports from South Asia and Southeast Asia were also down, but the largest drop was felt from India, where May imports of 27,264 mt fell 93.19% in June to only 1,858 mt. Finally, imports from Burma in May were 5,563 mt, but down 61.5% to 2,142 mt in June.

Refined zinc:
Most refined zinc imports were supplied by Australia and South Korea, with 6,514 mt and 4,638 mt, respectively, keeping them the two largest suppliers of zinc alloy imports.

North Korea has also supplied refined zinc to China during 2011, with imports of 2,587 mt in June and YTD imports through June of 17,605 mt, up 155.18% YoY. According to SMM sources, imports from North Korea were mainly #2 zinc ingot and used mainly by battery producers.

Zinc output in Japan fell sharply during 1H 2011 due to the March earthquake, negatively affecting exports. Refined zinc imports from Japan during June were 527 mt, down 79.07% YoY, and YTD imports through June were 4,848 mt, down 61.41% YoY.

Domestic refined zinc exports from China were 5,306 mt, up 94.86%, with YTD exports through June were 35.1 kt, up 10.4%, and mainly shipped to Malaysia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand.

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