“　　
According to foreign trade statistics, the amount of helium imported during the period from January to December of 2012 came to 2,042 tons in terms of volume, a decrease of 9.5% over the previous year, valued at 6.2 billion yen, down by 6% on a monetary basis.

Imports from Qatar showed large decreases of 69.3% in terms of volume and 45.6% on a monetary basis.

The average import unit price by year was 3,079 yen per kg for 2012, an increase of 451 yen over the 2,628 yen per kg for 2011. The price is rising for the third straight year.”