South African scrap exports declined 9% over the year in 2013

22 Apr 2014 Last updated at 02:21:56 GMT

CAPE TOWN (Scrap Monster):  According to latest trade statistics released by South Africa, the scrap exports by the country declined considerably during the previous year. The country’s scrap exports during 2013 totaled 1.48 million tons. The exports have dropped by 9.1% when compared with the country’s scrap exports during the previous year.

The largest destination of South African scrap was India. The scrap imports by India totaled 713,000 tons during the year, accounting for nearly 50% of the total scrap exports out of South Africa. However, the Indian scrap imports from South Africa were down 32.5% when compared with those during the previous year.

The second largest importer of South African scrap was Malaysia. The imports by the country totaled 183,000 tons during the entire year 2013, higher by 20.5% year-on-year. In third place was Vietnam with total imports of 176,000 tons. The country’s scrap imports from South Africa soared 125% over the year, according to data.

It is for the first time in four years that the South African scrap exports have dropped over the previous year.

Author: Paul Ploumis