According to preliminary trade statistics from ministry of finance, Japan's iron & steel exports total 13,590,000 tonnes in April to September 2009 quarter, down by 31.5% YoY.

Among main destinations, Asia accounted for 11,457,000 tonnes, down 31.3% YoY. In Asia, China took 2,786,000 tonnes, down by 18.5% YoY, NIEs 5,776,000 tonnes, down by 26.8% YoY and ASEAN 2,621,000 tonnes, down by 50.3% YoY.

In other areas, the USA accounted for 540,000 tonnes, down by 32.9% YoY, the EU 138,000 tonnes, down by 50.6% YoY, the Middle East 411,000 tonnes, down by 33.8% YoY and Russia 15,000 tonnes, down by 71.5% YoY.

Meanwhile, Japan's customs cleared imports of iron and steel products totaled 1,793,000 tonnes in April to September 2009 quarter, down by 54.5% YoY.

In the breakdown by main sources, China supplied 295,000 tonnes, down by 67.6% YoY, Asian NIEs 999,000 tonnes, down by 44.3% YoY, ASEAN 21,000 tonnes, down by 62.6% YoY and the USA 3,900 tonnes, down by 65.4% YoY.

(Sourced from TEX Report Limited)