Japanese Low Import and High Export of Nonferrous Metals in 2009

Japanese annual import of nonferrous metals widely decreased in 2009 from 2008, according to Ministry of Finance. Domestic nonferrous metals demand significantly shrank due to economy deterioration after autumn 2008. The import volume especially decreased in the first 6 months.

Cathode copper import decreased by 54% to 41,484 tonnes in 2009 from 2008. The import maintained low through the year when domestic demand declined for electric cable and copper fabricated products. Copper scrap import decreased by 23% to 54,974 tonnes though the monthly volume recovery after July.

Primary aluminium import decreased by 29% to 1.34 million tonnes. Rolled aluminium products demand dropped from automobiles and constructions. Aluminium alloy import decreased by 47% to 621,275 tonnes in response to car output reductions.

On the contrary, Japanese annual export of nonferrous metals was active in 2009. Cathode copper export hit record 589,260 tonnes in 2009, increasing by 52.9% from 2008. The export to China expanded by 65.4% to 351,090 tonnes. Aluminium scrap export increased by 75.9% to 147,552 tonnes, which expanded in March-April bound for China and South Korea.

Meanwhile, copper scrap export decreased by 9.1% to 359,462 tonnes. The export for China exceeded 50,000 tonnes in May and hit the monthly record. However, Chinese demand weakened after May.