Japan Tin Imports Show Delayed Quake Effect

Aug. 3 -- Official trade data shows the lagged effect of the natural disasters which hit Japan in March on refined tin demand in Japan. After holding up quite well through April and May, June imports slumped to 1,932 tonnes, down 43% on June 2010. Cumulative imports in the first half of the year amounted to 15,141 tonnes, down 11% from an exceptionally high first half 2010 level.

An analysis of imports by source by the trading company Mitsubishi Corporation Unimetals shows that there was a particularly large fall in imports from Thailand between May and June, with tonnage falling by 58% m-o-m to 426 tonnes. In the first half Thailand had a market share of 34%, second to Indonesia’s 48%. Malaysia was the third largest supplier, holding just under a 10% share, with most of the balance coming from China, Vietnam and Bolivia.