Both Steel Export and Import in January 2006 to be Below the Same month last Year

According to the prompt report of trade statistics in January 2006, steel export was 5.0081 trillion yen, up 13.5% from the same month last year. The import was 5.357 trillion yen, up 27%. As a result, there was trade deficit at 348.9 billion yen. The export and import increased for 26 and 23 consecutive months respectively. There became reduction of the trade surplus for 10 consecutive months. The world’s export was 2.242 million tonnes, down 10.9%; the amount of money was 226.86 billion yen, up 10.6%. The import was 582,903 tonnes, down 25.3%; the amount of money was 60.369 billion yen, down 14.9%. In the breakdown of the export quantity, US increased 51.9%. Mideast did 63.9%. Russia did 868.1%. On the other hand, European union and Asia decreased 14.1% and 16.4% respectively; China did 30.5%. Meanwhile, the export amount of money increased 80.2% for US, 41.9% for EU, and 0.9% for Asia. That decreased 5.9% for China. The import decreased 32.8% for the U.S. and 26.4% for Asia. That did 53.5% for China. While the amount of money increased 20.6% for the U.S. and 30.8% for EU, that decreased 18.4% for Asia and 38.9% for China.