The volume of copper exported in July 2018 decreased by 1.8 percent from 92, 052.4 metric tonnes in June 2018 to 90, 410.4 metric tonnes in July 2018.

According to the Central Statistical Office (CSO), the copper prices on the London Metal Exchange market for the corresponding months decreased by 10.2 percent, from US$6, 954.8 per metric tonne in June 2018 to US$6,248.2 per metric tonne in July 2018.

CSO Acting Director Goodson Sinyenga says since copper accounts for the largest weight or proportion of traditional exports, any change in the volume and price has a direct bearing on the performance of traditional exports.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sinyenga says the major export destination in July 2018 was Switzerland, which accounted for 36.1 percent of the total export earnings.

“The man export product to Switzerland was copper anodes foe electrolytic refining, accounting for 54.1 percent of total export earnings from that country, followed by cathodes and sections of cathodes of refined copper,” the CSO Acting Director has disclosed.

He further discloses that China was the second main destination of Zambia’s exports accounting for 19.6 percent of the total export earnings.

He says the main export to China was copper anodes for electrolytic refining, accounting for 49.1 percent of total earnings from that country.

Mr. Sinyenga says Congo DR was the third main export destination accounting for 9.3 percent of the total export earnings.

“The main export product was sulphuric acid, oleum in bulk accounting for 19.3 percent of total export earnings from that country,” he has further disclosed.