China's exports of magnesium and product, including waste and scraps, fell to 31,022 mt in May, down 9.6% year-on-year, according to statistics published by the General Administration of Customs Thursday.

The May figure was 10.6% lower than that exported in April and is the third consecutive month of decline.

Over January-May, exports totaled 164,725 mt, down 5.5% year-on-year.

Chinese industry sources said they were not surprised by the lower exports volume as overseas buying interest has been weak in cautious trade due to the eurozone debt woes.

 

The value of the May exports was $96.1 million, down 8.1% from May 2011 and down 8% from April.

For the first five months, the value of the exports stood at $501.6 million, down 3.4% year-on-year.