Japanese aluminium ingot import increased by 17% to 146,481 tonnes in December from a year earlier, according to Ministry of Finance. Japanese major aluminium sash makers increased the import to cover production at flood damaged Thai transplants. The alloyed aluminium ingot increased by 13% to 101,202 tonnes under higher yen rate.
The electrolytic zinc import decreased by 88% to 281 tonnes for metal with 99.99% or more purity in December from a year earlier. The import decreased due to overstock of imported ingot after import surge amid domestic supply trouble caused by the major earthquake. The electrolytic lead import increased by 51% to 1,469 tonnes in December from a year earlier, which increased for 10 months in a row. The battery makers increased the import to cover low domestic lead supply. The tin ingot import decreased by 47% to 1,614 tonnes in December from a year earlier due to the export control of Indonesia through the end of November.