Japanese zinc exports in April plunges by 40pct YoY

Reuters reported that Japan's refined zinc exports for April plunged 40 percent from a year earlier to 5,047 tonnes widening from March's YoY decrease of 34.6%.

Ministry of Finance data showed that the wider YoY drop in April reflected the impact from a March 11 earthquake which devastated northeast Japan and shut nearly 65% of the country's production capacity of zinc used in automotive steel sheet and construction materials.

Taiwan remained by far the biggest market for Japan's refined zinc in April, accounting for 25% little changed from March while China made up 5%. Indonesia accounted for about 27% up from 21% in March.