Japan Iron Ore Imports Down Marginally in Jun’17

Japan, second largest iron ore importer of the world imported 10.63 MnT iron ore in Jun’17 against 10.74 MnT in May’17. The imports were down by 1% M-o-M.

The countries imports were down Y-o-Y as well compared to Jun’16 by 6%. In Jun’16, the country imported 11.28 MnT iron ore. However the imports were up 8% for the quarter ended Jun’17 against the previous quarter. Japan imported 32.77 MnT iron in CY17-Q2 against 30.41 MnT iron in CY17-Q1.

In the first half of 2017, the country imported 63.18 MnT iron ore, down 2% as it was 64.23 MnT in the same period last year.

The non-agglomerated iron ore import in the month of Jun’17 was registered at 9.23 MnT against 9.72 MnT in May’17 down 5% M-o-M and 7% Y-o-Y against Jun’16 which was at 9.90 MnT. However the agglomerated iron ore imports were registered up 36% M-o-M at 1.39 MnT in Jun’17 compared to 1.02 MnT in May’17 and 1% up Y-o-Y against 1.38 MnT in Jun’16.

Australian iron ore exports to Japan have witnessed a growth of 2% M-o-M which was 6.31 MnT in Jun’17 and 6.18 MnT in May’17,  it were down 6% Y-o-Y compared the same month last year.  Australia exported around 6.73 MnT iron ore in Jun’16 to Japan.

Brazil exported 2.88 MnT iron ore to Japan in Jun’17 up 1% M-o-M but down by 9% Y-o-Y compared to the month of Jun’16 which was 3.15 MnT.

Canada was the third largest iron ore exporter to Japan in Jun’17 and exported 0.53 MnT iron ore against 0.59 MnT in May’17 down 10% M-o-M. Canada exported 0.56 iron ore in to Japan in Jun’16

India turned out to be the fourth largest iron ore exporter to Japan in Jun’17 and exported 0.42 MnT iron ore down 21% against 0.53 MnT in May’17; however it increased Y-o-Y by 200%. India exported 0.14 MnT iron ore to Japan in Jun’16.