By JUDITH NAMUTOWE –
ZAMBIA’s increasing mining activities have pushed global metal exports to K3, 677 million from K3,427 million recorded at the end of last year.
The K3,677 million was recorded in January 2014 compared to K3,427 realised in December 2013 whose overall contribution to the total export earnings averaged 73.9 per cent.
Central Statistical Office (CSO) deputy director Goodson Sinyenga said during a media briefing in Lusaka that, the share of Non-Traditional Exports ( NTE)s recorded an average  of 26.1 per cent in revenue earnings between  December 2013  and January 2014.
He said Zambia’s major export destination in January 2014 was Switzerland, which accounted for 40.5 per cent.
“The major export products to Switzerland were cathodes and sections of cathodes of refined copper accounting for 93.8 per cent,” Mr Sinyenga said.
China was the second major destination of Zambia’s exports accounting for 20.0 per cent.  The major export product to China was Copper blisters (66.6 per cent).
The third major export destination was South Africa, accounting for 10.9 per cent. The major export product to South Africa was cathodes and sections of cathodes of refined copper, accounting for 42.6 per cent.
Congo DR was the fourth major export destination accounting for 8.6 per cent.
The major export products to Congo DR were sulphuric acid; petroleum in bulk (43.6 per cent).
“United Arab Emirates was the fifth major export destination accounting for 5.8 per cent. The major export product to United Arab Emirates was cathodes and   sections of cathodes of refined copper which accounted for 84.5 per cent,”  he said.
These five countries collectively accounted for 85.8 per cent of Zambia’s total export earnings in January 2014.
The Asian regional grouping was the largest market for Zambia’s total exports, accounting for 28.5 per cent in January 2014.
Mr Sinyenga said, within Asia, China dominated the export market, accounting for 70.2 per cent. Other notable markets in Asia were United Arab Emirates, Singapore, India and Japan.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional grouping was the second largest market for Zambia’s total exports, accounting for 22.6 per cent in January 2014. Within SADC, South Africa was the dominant market with 48.3 per cent.
Other notable markets in COMESA were Zimbabwe, Malawi, Kenya and Uganda.
“The European Union (EU) was the fourth largest market for Zambia’s total exports accounting for 4.0 per cent in January 2014. Within the EU, United Kingdom was the dominant market with 37.8 percent,” he said.
Other notable markets were Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
Zambia’s major import products by category in January 2014 were capital goods, accounting for 33.2 per cent.
The consumer goods category was second with 29.8 percent, followed by raw materials category with 20.0 per cent, while intermediate goods were fourth with 16.9 per cent.
In January 2014 and December 2013, the country had been a net importer of capital goods, contributing an average of  36.0 per cent of the total imports.