Japan’s iron ore imports rise 28.27 percent in February

According to statistics released by Japan's Ministry of Finance, the country's iron ore imports totaled 9.69 million metric tons in February this year, dropping by 10.29 percent month on month and up 28.27 percent compared to February 2009.
 
In the month in question, the country's iron ore imports from Australia totaled 5.47 million metric tons, increasing by 3.67 percent compared to the previous month and up 28.55 percent year on year, while its iron ore imports from Brazil amounted to 2.88 million metric tons, decreasing by 20.77 percent month on month and up 25.21 percent year on year. The country's third largest iron ore import source in February was India, with imports reaching 635,124 metric tons, down 38.97 percent month on month and up 22.16 percent as compared to February 2009.
 
In February, Japan's average iron ore import price stood at JPY 6,851/mt ($72.9/mt), increasing by 1.66 percent over January and down 23.4 percent year on year.
 
On the other hand, in the first two months of 2010, Japan's iron ore imports amounted to 20.49 million metric tons, rising by 22.17 percent year on year.
 
In the January-February period, Japan's iron ore imports from Australia totaled 10.75 million metric tons, its imports from Brazil amounted to 6.51 million metric tons and imports from India stood at 1.68 million metric tons, with increases of 14.72 percent, 32.9 percent and 52.28 percent respectively, all compared to the corresponding period of 2009.