Chinese demand for imported bauxite becomes weak
2015-11-19 09:45:00 [Print]
BEIJING (Asian Metal) 19 Nov 15 - From October, Chinese aluminum ingot and alumina prices moved down gradually. In mid-November, alumina price dropped to below RMB1,900/t (USD298/t) ex works, and most refineries suffer losses. A few of refineries began cutting production, leading to soft demand for imported bauxite. Prices of Malaysian bauxite Al 46%min Si 5% decreased to below USD45/t FOB China.
A Chinese alumina producer reported that they suspended bauxite import recently, as alumina market is sluggish and they suffer losses. “Our monthly demand for imported bauxite declined by 50% to 100,000t,” said the source, adding that they do not have bauxite import in November.
In addition, the source disclosed that they hold around 500,000t of imported bauxite in stock, so they are not in a hurry to add more stocks now. Because of soft demand from China, prices for Malaysian bauxite Al 46%min Si 5%max moved down to below USD45/t FOB Malaysia.
Another Chinese alumina producer confirmed that they suspended consuming imported bauxite from November. “We consume high-grade imported bauxite, while prices are high, and we suffer losses,” said the source, adding that they may consider resuming imported bauxite consumption when alumina price rebounds to RMB2,200/t (USD345/t) ex works.
They once consumed around 80,000-90,000t of imported bauxite per month. The alumina refinery holds around 100,000t of Brazilian bauxite now.
Because of shrinking demand from China, the price for Brazilian bauxite Al 50%min Si 4%max Moisture 5%max has decreased by USD10/t to around USD67/t CIF China in recent two months, the source stated.
A Chinese alumina producer reported that they suspended bauxite import recently, as alumina market is sluggish and they suffer losses. “Our monthly demand for imported bauxite declined by 50% to 100,000t,” said the source, adding that they do not have bauxite import in November.
In addition, the source disclosed that they hold around 500,000t of imported bauxite in stock, so they are not in a hurry to add more stocks now. Because of soft demand from China, prices for Malaysian bauxite Al 46%min Si 5%max moved down to below USD45/t FOB Malaysia.
Another Chinese alumina producer confirmed that they suspended consuming imported bauxite from November. “We consume high-grade imported bauxite, while prices are high, and we suffer losses,” said the source, adding that they may consider resuming imported bauxite consumption when alumina price rebounds to RMB2,200/t (USD345/t) ex works.
They once consumed around 80,000-90,000t of imported bauxite per month. The alumina refinery holds around 100,000t of Brazilian bauxite now.
Because of shrinking demand from China, the price for Brazilian bauxite Al 50%min Si 4%max Moisture 5%max has decreased by USD10/t to around USD67/t CIF China in recent two months, the source stated.
Bauxite Australian Monohydrate 52%min CIF China
Unit:USD/dt
China bauxite producers' sales to production ratio statistics by province by month
Unit: %
