Japan’s ferronickel exports (material) rose 3.8% to 56,995 mt in the first quarter compared to 54,907 mt in the same 2012 period. Exports included, among others: 24,508 mt (22,401 mt in the first quarter of 2012) to Korea; 21,357 mt (14,561 mt) to Taiwan and 9,046 mt (3,474 mt) to India, up 160.4% from 3,474 mt. Exports to China plunged to 2,046 mt from 14,463 mt. Japan’s first-quarter ferronickel imports (material) were 9,851 mt compared to 9,693 mt in the same 2012 period. The main supplier was New Caledonia, with 8,794 mt, up 2.2% from 8,601 mt year-on-year.
