Chinese alumina imports down by 3% MOM in March
2016-04-26 12:12:39 [Print]
BEIJING (Asian Metal) 26 Apr 16 - According to China customs, Chinese alumina imports totaled about 360,000t in March, down by 3% month on month and up by 64.9% year on year.
Chinese alumina imports by month (unit: kt)
The graph above shows that Chinese alumina imports sit at low levels of around 360,000t in March, a slight decrease of 3% MOM. On the one hand, prices for imported alumina picked up significantly by USD30/t CIF China in February and consumers reduced the consumption for imported alumina under the condition that they were able to maintain normal production. On the other hand, some traders had not signed new orders and only maintained the currently long-term contracts with sporadic spot transactions concluded; market participants waited on the sideline. Therefore, alumina imports in March saw little changes from February.
In March, prices for imported alumina moved up by USD15/t CIF China in March with downstream consumers showing little interest in purchasing; most traders focused on long-term contracts signed previously with sparse transactions recorded in the spot market. It is expected that the import volume of alumina will remain at low levels in April.
Alumina imports in March in China
The graph above demonstrates that China imported 153,000t of alumina from Australia, up by 36.7% YOY, and Australia continued to be the major source country for China in terms of alumina. The imports from India were about 90,000t, ranking second.
Chinese alumina imports by country in March (unit: kt)
Chinese alumina imports by month (unit: kt)
The graph above shows that Chinese alumina imports sit at low levels of around 360,000t in March, a slight decrease of 3% MOM. On the one hand, prices for imported alumina picked up significantly by USD30/t CIF China in February and consumers reduced the consumption for imported alumina under the condition that they were able to maintain normal production. On the other hand, some traders had not signed new orders and only maintained the currently long-term contracts with sporadic spot transactions concluded; market participants waited on the sideline. Therefore, alumina imports in March saw little changes from February.
In March, prices for imported alumina moved up by USD15/t CIF China in March with downstream consumers showing little interest in purchasing; most traders focused on long-term contracts signed previously with sparse transactions recorded in the spot market. It is expected that the import volume of alumina will remain at low levels in April.
Alumina imports in March in China
The graph above demonstrates that China imported 153,000t of alumina from Australia, up by 36.7% YOY, and Australia continued to be the major source country for China in terms of alumina. The imports from India were about 90,000t, ranking second.
Chinese alumina imports by country in March (unit: kt)
Caustic Soda 32%min Delivered China
Unit:RMB/mt 100-basis
China alumina producers' suspension number statistics by province by month
Unit: pcs
