China: Zinc imports and exports rise y-o-y in CY'22

China's imports of zinc were recorded at 4.27 million tonnes (mnt) in 2022 (CY'22) against 4.16 mnt, an increase of 3% y-o-y. Zinc export volumes from China stood at 91,549 t in CY'22, a increase of 528% compared to 14,569 t in 2021.

China's import overview

Out of total imports, zinc ore/concentrates shipments increased by 14% to 4.13 mnt, while imports of semi-finished products fell by 73% to 142,359 t, and finished product imports dropped 45% y-o-y to 3,425 t in CY'22.

Imports of zinc in December stood at 427,574 t, down from 466,546 t in November or 8% m-o-m. Import volumes fell m-o-m owing primarily to the continued closure of the import window, with LME zinc exceeding SHFE zinc.

Country-wise imports

• Exports from Australia decrease in CY'22: Export volumes stood at 1.09 mnt in CY'22, a decrease of 9% from 1.2 mnt in CY'21. Export volumes increased by 62% y-o-y from 88,449 t in December 2021.
  
  
• Exports from Peru down: Peru's exports to China fell to 670,520 t in CY'22 as against 797,472 t in CY'21, down by 16%. Shipments increased in December, however, by 29% from 36,898 t in December 2021.
  
  
• Exports from South Africa increase in CY'22: Exports from South Africa to China rose significantly by 24% to 449,245 t in CY'22 from 363,335 t in CY'21. Volumes fell by 48% y-o-y from 37,302 t in December 2021.
  
  

Export overview

Exports of semi-finished zinc products rose sharply by 1150% to 83,070 t and exports of finished products rose by 7% to 8,478 t. However, exports of scrap decreased by 96% from 25 t in CY'21 to 1 t in CY'22.

The country's zinc exports were down 55% m-o-m to 1,261 t in December 2022 compared to the previous month. The closed export window reduced overall volumes, resulting in only a few shipments exported from China in December.

Shipments increased by 528% y-o-y in CY'22, especially to Taiwan and Turkey which are not regular destinations for Chinese exports.

Country-wise exports

• • Imports by Taiwan and Turkey: China's exports to Taiwan and Turkey stood at 38,660 t and 10,320 t, respectively, in CY'22. Taiwan and Turkey, however, are not regular destinations for zinc exports by China.
    
    
  • Imports by US increase in CY'22: China's exports to the US were at 5,965 t in CY'22, up 172% from 2,196 t in CY'21. Exports in December rose by 40% y-o-y from 136 t in December 2021.