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China’s Antibiotic Exports Soar to Record $3.7B

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Archives, Global Trade Daily, Imports/Exports, News

China’s Antibiotic Exports Soar to Record $3.7B

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IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘China – Antibiotics – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights‘. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

Antibiotic exports from China, the largest supplier worldwide, peaked at $3.7B in 2020. Over the past decade, China’s exports steadily grew at an average annual rate of +2.5%. India, the Netherlands and Viet Nam constitute the leading importers of antibiotics from China. Viet Nam recorded the highest growth rate of import value from China over the past decade. Last year, the average antibiotic export price amounted to $44,258 per tonne, increasing at an average annual rate of +4.4% from 2010 to 2020.

China’s Antibiotic Exports

In value terms, antibiotic exports rose from $3.6B in 2019 to $3.7B (IndexBox estimates) in 2020. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2010 to 2020.

In physical terms, antibiotic exports from China declined modestly from 100K tonnes in 2010 to 84K tonnes in 2020. Last year, exports waned by -4.2% on the previous year. China remains the world largest antibiotic exporter, accounting for 54% of the global volume.

India (23K tonnes) was the leading destination for antibiotic exports from China, accounting for a 27% share of total exports. Moreover, antibiotic exports to India exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the Netherlands (6.1K tonnes), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Viet Nam (3.9K tonnes), with a 4.7% share.

In value terms, India ($986M) remains the key foreign market for antibiotic exports from China, comprising 27% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by the Netherlands ($216M), with a 5.8% share of total exports, and it was followed by Viet Nam, with a 3.9% share.

From 2010 to 2020, the average annual growth rate of value exported to India (+0.6% per year) was relatively modest. Exports to the other significant destinations recorded the following average annual rates of growth: the Netherlands (+7.4% per year) and Viet Nam (+8.4% per year).

In 2020, the average antibiotic export price amounted to $44,258 per tonne, increasing by +7.6% against the previous year. In general, the export price indicated a noticeable increase from 2010 to 2020, rising at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last decade.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2020, the country with the highest price was South Korea ($80,132 per tonne), while the average price for exports to Indonesia ($28,191 per tonne) was amongst the lowest. In 2020, the most notable growth rate in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the U.S., while the prices for the other significant destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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Archives, Global Trade Daily, Software, Special Reports

Automation Versus Human Innovation: How To Engineer An Equitable Economy

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Are some companies moving closer to having more robots than employees?

Recent studies indicate a trend in that direction.

The data: Research from Google Cloud shows two-thirds of manufacturers who use artificial intelligence in their day-to-day operations say that their reliance on AI is increasing. And a report from PwC predicts that by the mid-2030s, up to 30% of jobs could be automated.

The key questions: How much automation vs. how much human innovation? Which is better for a sustainable economy? And why are some businesses spending more on automation than people?

Thought leader’s take: Jarl Jensen (www.jarljensen.com), ForbesBook author of The Big Solution: Deactivating The Ticking Time Bomb Of Today’s Economy, says large inequities between the labor class and corporations exist in part because of cheap lending practices, enabling corporations to borrow large sums from banks – and one result is the trend toward more automation.

“Corporations would rather have an employee base full of robots, and a select few humans to monitor the robots, because it saves them money in labor cost,” Jensen says.

“Borrowing without a maximum limitation means it is easy, and often more affordable, for corporations to invest in automation or robotics than their labor force. It is cheaper to take a loan from a bank to finance the purchase of artificial intelligence software than it is to re-train workers or engage in improving work skills. The unfortunate reality of our economic system is that there is no incentive for banks to stop making loans to rich people and corporations – even if the end result is a decrease in jobs due to automation and artificial intelligence.”

Jensen thinks the economy can be engineered to make it more equitable – ”an economy for the people.” These are three of the tools he suggests to fix the economy:

Direct deposits. “The first and best tool at our disposal is the money that a new and better version of the Federal Reserve would deposit directly into the bank accounts of every American of working age,” Jensen says. “This is not a basic income. It is an essential liberty.”

Jensen’s idea is that the direct deposits would be made for future work. The amount each working person would receive would be adjusted according to the signals being received from the economy.  “The way out of the debt trap is direct deposits,” he says. “Direct deposits put the people first. It forces the system to adjust to the needs of the people. The money we’re talking about for these direct deposits is money that the Fed simply creates out of thin air like it does when it issues money for loans to banks. But this money is not creating a debt that has to be repaid, thus does not grow the national deficit or become a debt burden for the Americans who receive it.”

Blue sky markets. Jensen describes blue sky markets as money for businesses that pursue the common good. This tool, he says, takes big problems out of the government’s hands and puts them in the hands of entrepreneurs. ”Blue sky markets issue money directly to fund commodity exchanges that effectively solve these big problems,” he says. “They create money for the purpose of fixing what is broken and making a more sustainable, stable, and compelling future.”

One example of implementing this tool is in addressing climate change. “Businesses would bid on the exchange to remove CO2 from the atmosphere,” Jensen says. “Money that is not debt-based, taken directly from the Federal Reserve, would pay the lowest bidder to remove the CO2. Competition for profits would compel entrepreneurs to figure out how to do it efficiently and effectively.”

New kind of savings account. “Today, any money you put in the bank doesn’t sit in your account,” Jensen says. “It gets repurposed. The bank uses it to invest, to loan out to other people or entities, and to create more debt. But if, alongside these new direct deposits, you had new high-interest bank accounts that are accessible to everyone, then that would keep some of the money out of circulation. Many people would choose to save the money and collect the interest.”

Jensen says the money to pay those higher interest rates would come from the Fed. With more people saving because of this high-interest incentive, and much less of that money going out in circulation, he reasons that inflation would not set in despite all the direct deposits and blue sky markets. “And as a huge bonus,” he says, “this system makes planning for retirement a lot easier.”

“Having an economy for the people is all about reimagining how we value money and restructuring how banks do business,” Jensen says. “It’s about real freedom, sustainability, and the optimization of society.”

__________________________________________________________________

Jarl Jensen (www.jarljensen.com) is ForbesBook author of The Big Solution: Deactivating The Ticking Time Bomb Of Today’s Economy. He’s the founder and president of Inventagon, a company creating simpler research and development solutions for organizations across the globe. Jensen holds patents for medical technologies that have reached sales of over $1 billion. He founded EuroMed, a company he sold in 2016, and has written five books about the economy and its relationship with society.

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Archives, Global Trade Daily, Imports/Exports, News

China Sharply Reduces Aluminium Foil Exports to India

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IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘China – Aluminium Foil – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights‘. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

China’s aluminium foil exports dropped by -4.9% to 1.2M tonnes. The supplies to South Korea, Thailand and India constitute 22% of China’s foil exports. India, the largest importer of Chinese foil, recorded the most remarkable reduction of purchases. The supplies from China to South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia grew slightly.

China’s Aluminium Foil Exports by Country

Aluminium foil exports from China fell to 1.2M tonnes in 2020, waning by -4.9% against 2019 figures. In value terms, aluminium foil exports dropped from $4B in 2019 to $3.8B (IndexBox estimates) in 2020.

India (98K tonnes), Thailand (97K tonnes) and South Korea (75K tonnes) were the main destinations of aluminium foil exports from China, with a combined 22% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the U.S., Mexico, Japan, Viet Nam, Malaysia, Italy and Canada, which together accounted for a further 38%.

In value terms, South Korea ($354M), Thailand ($278M) and India ($261M) appeared to be the largest markets for aluminium foil exported from China worldwide, with a combined 23% share of total exports. Japan, the U.S., Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Mexico, Viet Nam, Italy and Canada lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 38%.

Among other countries, India saw the most remarkable reduction of supplies from China. In 2020, exports to India shrank by -29% y-o-y estimated in physical terms and by -30% y-o-y in value terms. By contrast, China’s exports to South Korea (+2% y-o-y), Thailand (+5% y-o-y) and Indonesia (+4% y-o-y) grew.

In 2020, the average aluminium foil export price amounted to $3,109 per tonne, almost unchanged from the previous year. Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was Japan, while the average price for exports to Saudi Arabia was amongst the lowest. In 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Japan, while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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3pls, Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Warehousing

Generix Supply Chain Solution on Gartner Magic Quadrant

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A global provider of SaaS-based supply chain solutions, Generix Group has been recognized for the third year in a row among providers of WMS solutions with its inclusion in the 2021 Magic Quadrant for Warehouse Management Systems. 

A closely-followed series of market research publications produced by Gartner, the Magic Quadrant or “Gartner MQ” uses an evaluation matrix to analyze the positioning of technology-based companies, rate technology vendors based on defined criteria, and display vendor strengths and weaknesses, according to Techopedia.

Used to evaluate a vendor before a specific technology product, service, or solution is purchased, the Gartner MQ evaluates each vendor on vision completeness and execution ability. Digging down deeper, it classifies each vendor into four different quadrants: leaders, challengers, visionaries, and niche players.

Magic Quadrant for WMS

An industry-standard resource for supply chain professionals wanting unbiased research on the key players for advanced WMS solutions, the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Warehouse Management Systems is compiled based on the research firm’s rigorous methodology. With this information at their fingertips, companies can make a solid evaluation of WMS vendors based on multiple different criteria.

“The WMS market remains vibrant with vendors continuing to innovate,” Gartner points out. “Progress is being made in adaptability and support for automation while cloud services grow faster than the overall market. Supply chain technology leaders should use this (Gartner MQ) research to understand the current state of the WMS market.”

Gartner Magic Quadrants offer visual snapshots, in-depth analyses, and actionable advice that provide insight into a market’s direction, maturity, and participants. Magic Quadrants compare vendors based on Gartner’s standard criteria and methodology. Each report comes with a graphic that depicts a market using a two-dimensional matrix that evaluates vendors based on their completeness of vision and ability to execute.

Generix WMS Systems 

With two distinct WMS solutions, Solochain WMS and Generix WMS, Generix Group provides full-featured WMS functionality, high visibility and trackability, highly configurable automation platforms, and interactive on-the-job workforce training. The modern and intuitive visual interface supports real-time decision-making and critical business needs, including fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) as well as slow-moving consumer goods (SMCG) industries.

Working together with Locus Robotics, Generix recently rolled out automated warehouse solutions across Europe that include Locus’s innovative autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).

Furthermore, with ever-increasing changes in the industry, Generix can swiftly accommodate high growth needs from level-1 warehouse operations up to level 5, thus allowing hyper-growth for clients while digital transformation exponentially accelerates organic growth.

Solochain WMS is built on a scalable and flexible platform that powers its use as a warehouse management system, a manufacturing execution system, a transportation management system, and more. Highly configurable in terms of information layout, mobile workflow processes, reporting, and optimization rules, the WMS’ technological infrastructure is designed for maximum configuration flexibility and performance scalability.

Solochain WMS adapts and scales to meet a company’s needs all from within the same warehouse facility. It’s a highly flexible and adaptive warehouse management system that’s built for companies that need their supply chains to be nimble, efficient, and scaling, while ensuring execution excellence, compliance, and operational stability. And, for companies that perform product transformation (manufacturing, product kitting, etc.), Generix’s fully native Manufacturing Execution System (MES) can be enabled in WMS for complete inventory visibility throughout work-in-progress stages.

The Power of One  

Highlighting Generix’s strengths, Gartner says the company is expanding with a new entity in the Netherlands, a software engineering center in Romania, and its services center in Portugal. The company is also growing in North America with more than one-quarter of its business now outside its home geography.

“Solochain is well-suited to combination manufacturing and warehouse operations because it offers a seamlessly integrated WMS and MES,” Gartner says in its review. “This goes beyond simple transactional integration and addresses complexities of process integration between the warehouse and the shop floor.”

Gartner goes on to say that Generix Solochain offers powerful visual tools to facilitate, accelerate, and enhance implementations, and to provide ongoing support. It provides a model-driven architecture and back-office capabilities that document every client interaction in the application, facilitating upgrades.

According to one Gartner peerinsights user review, the company’s Solochain implementation was a multi-phased project. The first phase involved implementing the core WMS software and the second phase was the full integration with the firm’s existing ERP systems.

“The Solochain implementation team focused closely on our business process. Understanding the nature and rationale of our operations was the priority,” the company says. “Solochain offers many great best practice features out of the box. Understanding that functionality and relating it to our processes allowed us to redesign poorly performing operations and optimize others. We found the implementation team to be open-minded and very knowledgeable.”

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product, or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About Generix Group North America:

Solutions exist today that can ensure any warehouse or distribution center operates at peak efficiency, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. From Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and Transportation Management Systems (TMS) to Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and more, software platforms can deliver a wide range of benefits that ultimately flow to the warehouse operator’s bottom line.

Generix Group North America provides a series of solutions within our Supply Chain Hub product suite to create efficiencies across an entire supply chain. Our solutions are in use around the world and our experience is second-to-none. We invite you to contact us to learn more.

This article originally appeared here. Republished with permission.

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Archives, Commentary, Global Trade Daily, Special Reports

The Advantages of Using Biglia CNC Machine in Manufacturing

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Due to the fact that they serve to expedite the production process, Biglia CNC machines have become more popular for usage in the manufacturing industry. These Biglia CNC machines offer several advantages when they are used in the manufacturing industry. The following are the main advantages of using the Biglia CNC machine in the manufacturing industry.

Increase the speed of production.

Using Biglia CNC machines can help in increasing the production speed as well as the efficiency. These machines allow manufacturers to work more quickly while ensuring the things they produce are of the highest possible quality. CNC Biglia machines are also capable of doing a variety of tasks without the need for additional overhead, making them a very important part of the production process.


Reduces Human Errors

When it comes to working, humans are capable of making mistakes. However, when the Biglia CNC machines are used, such errors are avoided entirely. The machines have been preprogrammed to accomplish certain duties, and they will carry out those jobs with pinpoint accuracy and precision. These machines will carry out any work depending on the instructions that have been put into them, ensuring both accuracy and precision. There is an error, which indicates that the problem is not with the computer, but with the software itself.

These machines may also be used to replicate processes and consistently provide the same results over and over again. Furthermore, the Biglia machine operates according to specifications, guaranteeing that no material is wasted.

Safety

The operation of the Biglia CNC machines is one of the more straightforward tasks. The majority of the other operations are automated, and the operator’s main responsibility is to guarantee that the code is followed. In order to improve safety, operators are not required to interact with or handle cutting equipment throughout the process. Therefore, since the operators will not be near such machines, if any accidents occur, they will not be affected or hurt in any way. Additionally, because everything else is automated, it assures that there are no mishaps throughout the process.

Enable advanced fabrication of operations

Another advantage of utilizing Biglia CNC machines is their capacity to create operations, which is another advantage of employing them. These activities include the fabrication of hearing metal, welding, and flame cutting. These machines are equipped with high accuracy, which aids in guaranteeing that complicated shaped products are correct and can be recreated at any point in the future. Furthermore, they include a number of innovative features that will assist you in keeping up with the latest technological trends, such as changes in building codes, design changes, as well as other developments.

Require Minimal Maintenance

Biglia machines are capable of operating for an extended period of time without the need for monitoring or maintenance. They vary from other machines in that they are able to work continuously without having a rest period. Biglia CNC machines are capable of operating for up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The only time an operator is often necessary is when the machine is being programmed to do a specific job or there is a certain problem. However, their capacity to function continuously throughout the day with little maintenance aids in increasing the overall productivity of the company.

Enable changes in production

By allowing for changes, the Biglia CNC machine may aid in the improvement of several activities that are carried out in the manufacturing process. For example, if there are certain components that must be manufactured, you may quickly alter the software to accommodate them. These devices are very adaptable and can perform a wide range of activities. The business is, therefore, able to complete multiple orders in a short amount of time as a result of this arrangement.

Furthermore, Biglia CNC machines are equipped with sensors that may be used to monitor the amount of wear that has occurred on any given component. Following a fire, they will alert the operator of the components that need to be repaired or replaced. You may also be able to integrate these Biglia CNC machines with other machines with the aim of automating several activities such as packaging and removing products in the warehouse in order to ensure that all the duties are completed on time.

Versatility

Furthermore, the Biglia machine’s adaptability makes it an excellent choice for use in the manufacturing business in general. CNC machines may be used to design or produce things from a wide range of materials, according to the application. Plastics, rigid foam, phenolic materials, and carving foam are just a few of the materials available to designers.

These machines are able to withstand these goods really well, and they are capable of producing a wide range of items from the materials listed above. Because they are able to operate continuously throughout the day, the machine is also capable of producing duplicates of items utilizing materials that have the exact same accuracy and precision as the original material. If the order is large enough, this is an irresponsible decision.

Simulated Models or Prototypes

In certain cases, the Biglia CNC machine may be used to create simulated models as well as prototypes. When compared to the manual approach, the automated process saves a significant amount of time and ensures the high accuracy of the results.

Additionally, you may observe the components in three dimensions on the machine, which is accomplished by examining the computer software that is being utilized.

Additionally, the Biglia CNC machine will enable you to inspect every side dog of your simulated model before it is ever manufactured.

Conclusion

Specifically designed for the manufacturing industry, Biglia CNC machines are excellent. As this article explains, there are several advantages that these machines provide to the manufacturing industries in terms of efficiency and productivity. If you want accuracy, precision, higher productivity, versatility, and adaptability in your manufacturing process, you may want to think about using the Biglia CNC machines.

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Archives, Commentary, Global Trade Daily, Special Reports

Sustainable Dining: How the Food and Drinks Market Is Becoming Eco-Friendly

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As things stand, our planet is not in a good shape. With the effects of climate change becoming more and more apparent every year, many are trying to do their bit in a bid to save our run-down environment. In this respect, it is fair to say that the food and drink market is gradually adapting to this new ‘reality’ too.

Indeed, while biting into the cheese and ham sandwich you bought on your way to work, you may notice that its packaging has a green recyclable sign on it. At the same time, you may realize that you are sipping a hot, flavorsome coffee from an eco-friendly wood-pulp paper cup as well.

Electrix, a manufacturer of Kabelkanal, explores the topic of sustainability within the food and drinks market. What is this industry doing to ensure it provides green, sustainable products?

Growth of fair trade

As the name suggests, fair trade is an arrangement designed to assist farmers and workers in developing countries through better working conditions and equitable trade relationships. Not only this, but it also strives to support and promote good agricultural practices which – in the long run – encourage environmentally sustainable production.

Indeed, from prohibiting the use of harmful agrochemicals and focusing on the reduction of pesticides, fair trade ensures that farms are limiting their waste while enhancing biodiversity. Stretching from Western Africa to Latin America, fair trade’s positive influence on the food and drink market is constantly growing.

By allowing small farmers from all over the world to implement sustainable agricultural practices, workers are able to mitigate their impact on the environment and ultimately challenge climate change.

Eco-friendly packaging

Packaging is crucial in many different ways. Whether we like it or not, first impressions count – and this is particularly true for the food and drinks market. If a product looks good on the outside, the consumer is likely to automatically think it tastes nice too. But design is not the only aspect brands are concerned about.

With the future of our environment in mind, the industry is looking at alternative and innovative methods of making packaging as sustainable as possible. For instance, beer cans are gradually ditching the infamous six-pack plastic rings in favor of eco-friendlier dots of glue, which keep the beverages together just as well.

Moreover, brands are constantly exploring solutions that will help reduce plastic and glass waste. Indeed, wood-pulp paper bottles and sustainable plastic-free food packaging are slowly starting to stack supermarket shelves.

What is more, some food and drinks businesses are opting for sleek carved-in branding on their products as opposed to wrap-around labels. This said, however, most labels nowadays are recyclable and biodegradable anyway.

Transport

It is easy to forget that food and drinks often travel hundreds (if not thousands) of miles to get to our local supermarket. As heavy-good vehicles account for 25% of CO2 emissions from transportation, it becomes clear that the way in which products reach our shelves should be carefully monitored.

In this respect, to contrast the negative impact food and drinks transportation has on our environment, many farmer’s markets do not allow vendors to sell products that have traveled more than 200 miles. In some cases, the threshold is 50 miles.

Not only is this an excellent way to support the local economy, but it also allows consumers to enjoy fresher products while actively reducing their carbon footprint.

Conscious consumers

There is no hiding that buyers play a fundamental role in shaping the way the food and drinks market operates. Ultimately, is it not consumers that brands are trying to appeal to?

For instance, health is an important component in people’s decision-making. As well as considering its environmental benefits, sustainable and organic food is particularly inviting, as it is healthier and safer to eat. Furthermore, by providing buyers with eco-friendly packaging options, brands have the chance to increase consumer interest. Indeed, anybody who has at heart the future of our planet will tendentially opt for a product that has gone out of its way to be as green as possible.

Finally, with the increase in vegetarian and vegan diets, the demand for sustainable alternatives is on the rise – and the food and drinks market will inevitably have to keep pace with people’s new style of living.

With the repercussions of climate change in plain sight, sustainability is the way forward to preserve our planet. To make sure it both plays its part and satisfies people’s new necessities, the food and drinks market is slowly shifting towards an eco-friendlier approach that suits both the environment and its consumers.

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Sources

https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/legacy/doc/Fairtrade%20and%20sustainability%20-%20environmental%20protection%20and%20climate%20change.pdf

https://farmersmarketcoalition.org/education/farmers-markets-promote-sustainability/

https://www.dupontnutritionandbiosciences.com/sustainability-food-beverage-industry.html

https://www.newfoodmagazine.com/news/103794/report-reveals-motivations-behind-sustainability-food-and-beverage-trends/

https://www.leisurefb.co.uk/news/blog.asp?blog_id=21208

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Germany’s Polyamide Exports to Set New Record This Year

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IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘Germany – Polyamides (In Primary Forms) – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights‘. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

German polyamide exports may reach a new record in 2021, rebounding after two years of decline. In the first half of this year, Germany exported 424K tonnes of polyamides worth $1.55B against 348K or $1.12B in the same period in 2020. Germany remains the world’s largest polyamide supplier, accounting for 19% of global exports. Italy, Belgium and France are the key importers of polyamides from Germany. Turkey recorded the highest spike in imports from Germany. In 2020, the average polyamide export price amounted to $3,205 per tonne, down by -7.7% y-o-y. 


Germany’s Polyamide Exports by Country 

In the first half of 2021, Germany exported 424K tonnes of polyamides worth $1.55B, which was 22% more in physical terms and 38% more in value terms than the figures of the same period of 2020. Germany leads in global polyamide exports, supplying 19% of the total volume.

In 2020, approx. 713K tonnes of polyamides in primary forms were exported from Germany; declining by -9.3% on the year before. In value terms, polyamide exports contracted dramatically to $2.3B (IndexBox estimates) in 2020. German exports peaked in 2018, reaching $2.98B.

Italy (100K tonnes), Belgium (72K tonnes) and France (45K tonnes) were the main destinations of polyamide exports from Germany, with a combined 30% share of total exports. Poland, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Austria, the U.S., China, Spain, South Korea, Hungary and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 42%.

In value terms, the largest markets for polyamide exported from Germany were Italy ($243M), Belgium ($224M) and Poland ($148M), with a combined 27% share of total exports. France, the Czech Republic, China, the U.S., Austria, Turkey, Spain, Hungary, the UK and South Korea lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 44%.

Among the main countries of destination, Turkey recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

In 2020, the average polyamide export price amounted to $3,205 per tonne, with a decrease of -7.7% against the previous year. Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was China, while the average price for exports to South Korea was amongst the lowest.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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China’s Sulphur Imports Rebound After Last Year’s Deep Drop

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IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘China – Sulphur – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights‘. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

China leads in global sulphur imports, with a 28%-share of the total supplies. This year, Chinese sulphur purchases from abroad have shown a sign of recovery after a deep drop last year. In the first four months of 2021, Chinese imports accounted for $455M against $164M in the same period of 2020. Chinese sulphur purchases fell from $1.3B in 2019 to $0.6B in 2020. The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Iran constitute the largest suppliers to China, with a 49%-share of total import value.

Chinese Sulphur Imports 

China remains the largest sulphur importer worldwide, accounting for 28% of the total supplies. Over the first four months of 2021, Chinese sulphur imports totaled $455M against $164M of the same period of 2019.

In 2020, imports of sulphur into China shrank rapidly to 8.5M tonnes, dropping by -27.2% compared with the year before. In value terms, sulphur imports reduced sharply to $604M (IndexBox estimates) in 2020.

The United Arab Emirates (2M tonnes), South Korea (1.1M tonnes) and Saudi Arabia (962K tonnes) were the main suppliers of sulphur to China in 2020, with a combined 47% share of total imports. Iran, Japan, India, Qatar and Russia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 38%.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($156M) constituted the largest supplier of sulphur to China, comprising 26% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Saudi Arabia ($75M), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Iran, with an 11% share.

In 2020, the average annual growth rate of value from the United Arab Emirates amounted to -33.7%. Supplies from Saudi Arabia (-61.1% per year) and Iran (-51.0% per year) also fell tangibly.

In 2020, the average sulphur import price amounted to $71 per tonne, declining by -36.7% against the previous year. Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest price was Qatar ($82 per tonne), while the price by South Korea ($50 per tonne) was amongst the lowest. In 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates, while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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Archives, Global Trade Daily, Imports/Exports, News

Americans are Eating More Waffles: Imports Peak Near Over $600M

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IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘U.S. – Waffles And Wafers Without Chocolate – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends, And Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

American waffle and wafer imports reached $598M, the highest level ever. In physical terms, imports rose by +5.9% y-o-y to 123K tonnes in 2020. Canada remains the largest supplier of waffles and wafers to the U.S., comprising 55% of American import volume. Italy, Belgium, Turkey, Costa Rica, Austria and Mexico have boosted their exports to the U.S. In 2020, the average waffle and wafer import price amounted to $4,879 per tonne, which was 4.5% down the figures of 2019.


American Imports of Waffles and Wafers

Waffle and wafer imports into the U.S. amounted to 123K tonnes in 2020, increasing by +5.9% on the year before. In value terms, waffle and wafer imports rose by +1.2% y-o-y to $598M (IndexBox estimates) in 2020.

In 2020, Canada (67K tonnes) constituted the largest waffle and wafer supplier to the U.S., with a 55% share of total imports. Moreover, waffle and wafer imports from Canada exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Italy (8.1K tonnes), eightfold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Mexico (6.9K tonnes), with a 5.6% share.

In value terms, Canada ($346M) constituted the largest supplier of waffles and wafers to the U.S., comprising 58% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Italy ($59M), with a 9.8% share of total imports. It was followed by Belgium, with a 5.1% share.

In 2020, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Canada amounted to -5.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Italy (+26.2% per year) and Belgium (+21.4% per year). Among other suppliers, Turkey, Costa Rica, Austria and Mexico have also increased their exports to the U.S. significantly.

In 2020, the average waffle and wafer import price amounted to $4,879 per tonne, shrinking by -4.5% against the previous year. There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2020, the country with the highest price was Germany, while the price for Colombia was amongst the lowest. In 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey, while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform Recommended

HFCs
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EPA Issues Final Rule to Phase Down HFCs as White House Announces Measures to Prevent Illegal Imports

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The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule intending to reduce the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in the United States by enforcing a cap and phasedown program under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act. According to the EPA, the final rule will phase down U.S. production and consumption of HFCs by eighty-five percent over the next fifteen years. Beginning January 1, 2022, allowances will be required to produce or import HFCs. The first of such allocations are to be announced by the EPA by October 1, 2021. The AIM Act instructs the EPA to issue a fixed quantity of transferrable production and consumption allowances, which producers and importers must hold in quantities equal to the amount of HFCs they produce or import. Alongside the EPA’s final rule, the EPA and other federal agencies under the Biden Administration announced additional actions intended to reduce consumption of HFCs, with a focus on curtailing and controlling illegal imports.

The final rule establishes HFC production and consumption baselines, a statutory phasedown schedule of allowed production and consumption, and the EPA’s approach to allocating and allowing transfer of allowances. According to the EPA, a global HFC phasedown is expected in order to avoid the most severe consequences of climate change. Producers and importers of HFCs should begin to consider how to adapt their businesses to the phasedown and how to take advantage of potential HFC alternatives. According to the phasedown schedule, steep reductions in allowances are planned for 2024 and 2029 to bring HFC production and consumption down to thirty percent against the baseline.

The EPA will set the initial allocation for each producer and/or importer based upon the individual entity’s production and/or import for the highest three-year period during the 2011-2019 period. The AIM Act had originally established the baseline to be the three-year period of 2011-2013, but the proposed rule published by the EPA in May 2021 had modified that to 2017 to 2019. Now with the final rule, the EPA has determined that using the average of the highest three years in the 2011 to 2019 window would ensure an equitable phasedown consistent with prior phasedowns.

The Administration announced the formation of an interagency task force consisting of the EPA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to prevent and disrupt illegal importation of HFCs into the United States. The announcement of measures to prevent illegal imports follows reports of a surge in illegal trade in HFCs in Europe due to the European Union’s strict regulation of the greenhouse gases. The White House nods to this issue in its fact sheet on the matter, referring to “rates of noncompliance similar to what has been observed in other countries…” With the issuance of the EPA’s final rule, the U.S. has adopted a similar policy on HFCs but aims to avoid the enforcement issues observed in Europe, which have undermined the purpose of HFC regulations.

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Nithya Nagarajan is a Washington-based partner with the law firm Husch Blackwell LLP. She practices in the International Trade & Supply Chain group of the firm’s Technology, Manufacturing & Transportation industry team.

Camron Greer is an Assistant Trade Analyst in Husch Blackwell LLP’s Washington D.C. office.