Zambia’s metal exports rise

TIMES of Zambia by mitia on 6/2/13

BY MAIMBOLWA MULIKELELA  –
ZAMBIA’s metal exports to the overseas market, increased to KR3,621.8 million in the month of April, compared to the previous month when the figures stood at KR3,228.3 million, with Switzerland contributing the largest share.
Central Statistical Office (CSO) acting director Goodson Sinyenga said there had been an increase in the total value of metal exports from KR3, 228.3 million in March 2013 to KR3,621 million in April 2013.
The overall contribution of metals and their products to total export earnings in March and February 2013, averaged 71.0 per cent.
Mr Sinyenga said in Lusaka that the share of the non-traditional exports (NTEs) recorded an average of 29.0 per cent in revenue earnings between April and March 2013.
He said Zambia’s major export destination in April 2013 was Switzerland, which accounted for 39.0 per cent.
To this destination, Zambia exported cathodes and sections of Cathodes or refined copper, accounting for 92.7 per cent.
China was the second major destination of Zambia’s exports accounting for 20.8 per cent with the major export product being copper blisters, representing 54.3 per cent.
“South Africa was the third major export destination accounting for 13.4 per cent.
The main export products were bars, rods and profiles of copper alloys, accounting for 47.8 per cent,” Mr Sinyenga said.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was the fourth destination,  accounting for 6.5 per cent and the fifth major export was United Arab Emirates representing 6.1 per cent.
Mr Sinyenga said the five countries collectively accounted for 85.8 per cent of Zambia’s total export earnings.
The Asian regional group was the largest market for Zambia’s total exports accounting for 31.5 per cent.
Within Asia, China dominated the export markets accounting for 66.0 per cent and other notable markets in Asia were the United Arab Emirates, India, Hong Kong and Japan.
Mr Sinyenga said the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was the largest market for Zambia’s total exports accounting for 24.8 per cent.
While the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) was the third largest market for Zambia’s exports representing 9.9 per cent and Mr Sinyenga said the European Union (EU) was the fourth largest market for Zambia’s total exports accounting for 3.4 per cent.
He said Zambia’s major import products by category in April 2013, were capital goods, accounting for 41.9 per cent.
The raw materials category was the second with 22.6 per cent, followed by intermediate goods with 20.1 per cent.
Mr Sinyenga said: “The consumer goods category was fourth with 15.3 per cent, adding that in April and March 2013, the country had been a net importer of capital goods contributing an average of 43.5 per cent of the total imports.”
He said the major source of Zambia’s imports in April 2013 was South Africa, accounting for 29.7 per cent.