Metal exports decline

ZAMBIA’S metal exports have decreased from K2,840 million in May 2013 to K2,646 million in June 2013.
Central Statistical Office (CSO) director John Kalumbi said the overall contribution of metals and their products to total export earnings in June and May 2013 averaged 58.6 per cent.
Mr Kalumbi said the share of Non-Traditional Export (NTEs) recorded an average of 41.4 per cent in revenue earnings between June and May 2013.
Zambia’s major export destination in June 2013 was Switzerland, which accounted for 34.6 per cent. with export products being cathodes and sections of Cathodes or refined copper accounting for 89.2 per cent.
China was the second major destination of Zambia’s export accounting for 20.0 per cent with the major export product being copper blister representing 63.8 per cent.
“The third major export destination was Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which accounted for 12.1 per cent,” Mr Kalumbi said.
He said South Africa was the fourth major export destination accounting for 8.8 per cent. The main export products to this destination being cobalt oxides and hydroxides, accounting for 29.6 per cent.
Malawi was the fifth with the major export destination accounting for 6.9 per cent, while the major export product to Malawi was maize (excluding seed) which accounted for 67.8 per cent, adding that the five countries collectively accounted for 82.4 per cent of Zambia’s total earnings in June 2013.
Mr Kalumbi said the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was the largest market for Zambia’s total exports accounting for 35.9 per cent in June 2013.
The Asian regional grouping was the second largest market accounting for 27.0 per cent in June 2013.
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) was the third largest market representing 25.6 per cent in June 2013.
He said the European Union (EU) was the fourth market accounting for 1.7 per cent in June 2013.
Zambia’s major import products by category in June 2013 were capital goods, accounting for 44.0 per cent.
The raw materials category was second with 20.7 per cent, followed by intermediate goods category with 18.5 per cent and raw materials were
fourth with 16.9 per cent.
“In May and June 2013, the country has been a net importer of capital goods, contributing an average of 43.8 per cent of the total imports,” he said.
Mr Kalumbi said the major source of Zambia’s imports in June 2013 was South Africa, accounting for 29.0 per cent with major import products from that destination being structures and parts of iron or steel,
contributing 2.7 per cent.
The second main source of Zambia’s imports was DRC which accounted for 15.9 per cent with the major import products being copper ores and concentrates, accounting for 86.4 per cent.
Mr Kalumbi said the COMESA regional grouping was the third largest source of Zambia’s imports accounting for 25.7 per cent.