By JUDITH  NAMUTOWE –

THE value for Zambia’s metal exports to overseas market went up by about 23 per cent to K5.6 billion in January 2017 as compared to K4.6 billion for December 2016.
Switzerland has continued contributing the largest share. Central Statistical Office (CSO) director John Kalumbi  said  there has been an increase  in the total value of metal exports  from K4,583 million to K5,586.2 million, representing an increment of  21.9 per cent.
“The overall contribution of metals and their products to the total export earnings in December 2016 and January 2017 averaged 80.3 per cent,” Mr Kalumbi said.
Mr Kalumbi  said  Non Traditional Exports (NTEs) marginally decreased by 8.9 per cent from K1,296.2 million in December 2016 to K1.180.6 million in January 2017.
“The share of NTEs recorded an average of 19.7 per cent in revenue earnings between December and 2016 and January 2017,” Mr Kalumbi said.
Zambia’s major NTES for January 2017 were bullion semi-manufactured forms which accounted for 7.0 per cent, followed by other mineral substances, which accounted for 6.2 per cent.
Mr Kalumbi said the major export destination in January 2017 was Switzerland, which accounted for 51.7 per cent of the total export earnings, with major export products to that destination being copper anodes for electrolytic refining, accounting for 46.7 per cent.
He said China was the second major destination for Zambia’s exports accounting for 18.7 per cent of the total earnings.
“The major export product to that country was copper blister accounting for 35.4 per cent,” he said.
Mr Kalumbi said the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was the third major export destination accounting for 4.9 per cent of the total export earnings.
The major export products to DRC were sulphuric acid, oleum in bulk accounting for 9.4 per cent.
Singapore was the  fourth major export destination  accounting for 4.8 per cent of the total export earnings, with the major products being cathodes of  refined copper accounting for  85.3 per cent.
He said the fifth major export destination was India, which accounted for 3.7 per cent of the total export earnings.
The major export products were copper anodes for electrolytic refining accounting for 74.9 per cent.