US Feb chloroform exports drop 46% year on year

10 April 2008 21:43  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--US chloroform exports fell 46% in February compared with the same month a year ago, federal trade officials said on Thursday, as foreign inventories rose in the first quarter.

 

The US International Trade Commission (USITC) said exports of chloroform fell to 7,782 tonnes in February compared with 14,361 tonnes in the same month a year ago.

 

However, the commission reported that February’s export sales marked a 23% increase from the 6,339 tonnes of chloroform sold to foreign buyers in January.

 

Market sources said the year-on-year decline in February’s exports was likely due to high chloroform inventories reported among foreign buyers during the first quarter this year, lowering demand for US product.

 

South Korea and Mexico together accounted for almost all US chloroform exports, the commission said, with South Korea buying 5,905 tonnes in February, followed by Mexico at 1,870 tonnes.

 

US chloroform export spot prices were assessed in the 45-48 cents/lb ($992-1,058/tonnes) FOB (free on board) US Gulf range, according to global chemical market intelligence service ICIS pricing.

 

US chloroform producers include Occidental Chemical and Dow Chemical.

 

($1.00 = €0.63)

 

For more on chloroform visit ICIS chemical intelligence

By: Greg Holt
+1 713 525 2653

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