Japan copper scrap imports dipped by 2pc to 15,849mt in January, while export rose by 22pc to 31,577mt from the prior year amid slow domestic demand offset by strong demand from China. Exports to China, the top importer from Japan, rose to 17,714mt, up by 64pc from a year ago, according to Japanese customs data.
Exports
In January, Japan’s copper scrap exports fell by 36pc from December, when exports to China dropped by 45pc. Exports to Hongkong rose by 36pc from the prior year, while up 1pc from December.
| Japan’s copper scrap exports in January (mt) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Importing Country | Jan-21 | Dec-20 | Change MoM | Jan-20 | Change YoY |
| China | 17,174 | 31,198 | -45% | 10,482 | 64% |
| Malaysia | 8,184 | 12,403 | -34% | 8,477 | -3% |
| Hong Kong | 2,477 | 2,456 | 1% | 1,820 | 36% |
| South Korea | 1,440 | 1,572 | -8% | 1,535 | -6% |
| Thailand | 1,327 | 873 | 52% | 1,863 | -29% |
| Taiwan | 711 | 468 | 52% | 753 | -6% |
| Pakistan | 162 | 221 | -27% | 251 | -35% |
| Vietnam | 56 | 2 | 2717% | 102 | -45% |
| Philippines | 27 | 387 | -93% | 430 | -94% |
| Others | 19 | 92 | -80% | 250 | -93% |
| Total | 31,577 | 49,672 | -36% | 25,963 | 22% |
Imports
In January, Thailand was the top destination for Japanese copper scrap imports. Imports from Thailand rose to 3,386mt, up by 47pc from the prior year, while imports from the US declined by 17pc to 2,003.
| Japan’s copper scrap import in January (mt) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Jan-21 | Dec-20 | Change MoM | Jan-20 | Change YoY |
| Thailand | 3,386 | 3,385 | 0% | 2,310 | 47% |
| US | 2,003 | 2,375 | -16% | 2,400 | -17% |
| Saudi Arabia | 1,881 | 1,888 | 0% | 2,281 | -18% |
| Philippines | 1,344 | 1,643 | -18% | 1,237 | 9% |
| UAE | 1,260 | 913 | 38% | 303 | 316% |
| Malaysia | 865 | 1,150 | -25% | 1,580 | -45% |
| UK | 830 | 86 | 871% | 103 | 705% |
| Taiwan | 748 | 774 | -3% | 822 | -9% |
| Singapore | 502 | 349 | 44% | 723 | -31% |
| Others | 3,030 | 4,052 | -25% | 4,380 | -31% |
| Total | 15,849 | 16,613 | -5% | 16,140 | -2% |