Total refined tin imports into Japan declinedby 1.2% to 13,087 tonnes in the first half of this year, with large falls in imports from Indonesia and Thailand partly offset by increased sales from Malaysia and Peru, according official customs data.

The Indonesian share of the Japanese market has dropped to 37%, while Thailand’s has slipped to below 25%, according to an analysis by Mitsubishi Corporation RtM. Meanwhile Malaysia’s share has risen to 14% and Peru’s to 11%. Sales of Minsur tin only commenced last August, but are now running at 220 – 260 tpm.