Japan’s air imports down, exports up in first half 2008

AMSTERDAM - September 25th, 2008 (WorldACD) – Seabury Cargo Advisory reports that Japan’s air imports decreased by 5.3 percent during the first half of 2008, compared to the same period in 2007. Air exports showed marginal growth of 1.9 percent in the same period. Both imports and exports experienced significant negative growth during May and June.

Air imports from the US were hardest hit, shrinking by 10.4% in the first 6 months of 2008. Imports originating from the Miami and San Francisco areas declined most significantly by, respectively, 41 and 36 percent. The commodities that experienced the largest decline in growth were vehicle parts and iron & steel products.

Air imports from Europe also experienced considerably lower growth rates; during the first half of 2008 Japan’s air imports from Europe were down by 8.2 percent; in May and June growth rates were -12.4 and -18.2 percent. Air imports of vehicles and parts originating from Italy and The Netherlands declined most notably: -28 and -26 percent.

Air exports to the US were down by 2.1 percent in the first half of 2008. During the first 3 months of 2008 growth was 7.2 percent, however in May air exports to the US declined by 11.1 percent and in June by 18.6 percent. This drop in the second quarter was mainly caused by lower exports of vehicle parts and semiconductor production machinery.

The only positive growth was for Japan’s air exports to Asia Pacific, which were up by 6.2 percent in the first 6 months of 2008. Significantly increased air exports to Indonesia and Thailand contributed to this, growing by 37 and 16 percent respectively.