Japan's customs cleared exports of iron and steel products totaled 21,849,000 tons in January-June 2010, up 60.8% from the same period of 2009, when their values totaled Y1,817.67 billion, up 34.4%, according to preliminary trade statistics from the Ministry of Finance.

Among main destinations, Asia accounted for 18,317,000 tons, up 59.9% from the same period of 2009. In Asia, China took 3,784,000 tons, up 35.8%; NIEs (newly industrializing economies) 8,509,000 tons, up 47.3%; and ASEAN 5,605,000 tons, up by a factor of 2.1.

In other areas, the USA accounted for 666,000 tons, up 23.2%; the EU 223,000 tons, up 61.3%; the Middle East 757,000 tons, up 84.2%; and Russia 106,000 tons, up by a factor of 6.

Meanwhile, Japan's customs cleared imports of iron and steel products totaled 3,384,000 tons in January-June 2010, up 88.7% from the same period of 2009, indicate preliminary trade statistics from the Ministry of Finance.

In the breakdown by main sources, China supplied 678,000 tons, up by a factor of 2.3 from the corresponding period of 2009; Asian NIEs 1,702,000 tons, up 70.3%; ASEAN 29,000 tons, up 36.5%; Russia 198,000 tons, up by a 5.1%; the EU 63,000 tons, up 77.6%; and the USA 5,000 tons, up 30.7%.

Source: TEX Report