According to preliminary customs data, Japan exported approximately 3.68 million mt of scrap in H1 2018. During the period, Japan exported 2.11 million mt (57 percent) to South Korea, 0.72 million mt (20 percent) to Vietnam, 0.50 million mt (14 percent) to China, 0.23 million mt (6 percent) to Taiwan, and 0.12 (3 percent) to other destinations including Bangladesh and Indonesia.
According to Japan’s customs data, Japan exported 8.05 million mt of ferrous scrap in 2017. At the present monthly average, Japan would export 7.36 million mt of ferrous scrap in 2018, a potential decline of 9 percent year-over-year unless the monthly rate increases in H2 2018.