Japan: Iron Ore Imports Up 6% M-o-M in Apr’17

Japan is world’s second largest iron ore importer after China with imports figure of 130 MnT iron ore in CY16. The country imported 11.39 MnT iron ore in Apr’17 against 10.72 MnT in Mar’17. There was a increase of 6% in iron ore imports M-o-M.

Similarly on Y-o-Y basis, compared to the Apr’16 iron ore imports are up by 7%. In Apr’16, the country imported 10.65 MnT iron ore.

In the first four months of 2017, the country imported 41.8 MnT iron ore, down 2% as it was 42.6 MnT in the same period last year.

The non-agglomerated iron ore import in the month of Apr’17 was registered at 10.24 MnT against 9.62 MnT in Mar’17 up 6% M-o-M and 6% Y-o-Y against Apr’16. The agglomerated iron ore imports were registered at 1.15 MnT in Apr’17 compared to 1.1 MnT in Mar’17.

Country-wise Japan iron ore imports - 

Australian iron ore exports to Japan have witnessed a increment of 9% M-o-M to 6.96 MnT in Apr’17 which was 6.41 MnT in Mar’17. The nation exported around 6.48 MnT iron ore in Apr’16.

Brazil exported 2.83 MnT iron ore to Japan in Apr’17, compared to 2.94 MnT in Mar’17. In Apr’16, Brazil exported 2.68 MnT iron ore to Japan.

Canada stood as third largest iron ore exporter to Japan in Apr’17 and exported 0.71 MnT iron ore against 0.31 MnT in Mar’17.

Chile turned out to be the 4th largest iron ore exporter to Japan in Apr’17 at 0.34 MnT against 0.03 MnT in Mar’17.

Other major iron ore exporting countries to Japan in Apr’17 were South Africa, Peru , India and USA.