Japanese Aluminium Scrap Export to Korea Hits Record High in May

Japanese aluminium scrap export to South Korea hit the record high volume in May. The export expanded to 5.4 times at 3,230 tonnes in May from a year earlier, according to the trade statistics by Ministry of Finance.

Japanese scrap dealers increased the export to South Korea when domestic demand and market price significantly weakened after Japan Earthquake. Meanwhile, the demand was strong and the market price was high in South Korea. The export has increased since late March. The export was 2,164 tonnes in March and 2,534 tonnes in April.

In June, the export movement seems to have settled down. Car production has increased in Japan and domestic secondary aluminium alloy makers have raised their operations. Thus domestic demand for aluminium scrap is increasing.