China's imported bauxite stocks down to 31.8 million tonnes in late January 2015
2015-02-03 09:01:59 [Print]
BEIJING (Asian Metal) 3 Feb 15 - According to data released by Asian Metal, China’s imported bauxite stocks reduced to around 31.8 million tonnes in late January 2015, down by about 2% compared with that in late December 2014. At the same time, China’s consumption for imported bauxite increased to around 3.9 million tonnes in January 2015, up by around 6% MOM.
From the above graph, we know that the imported bauxite stocks during 2014 kept declining, especially in the middle and late of the year, because the operating rate for Chinese alumina refineries was high during those months. In early 2015, Chinese bauxite imports from Malaysia were affected by the rainfall, so the import volume reduced in January. The stocks continued to move down in late January.
Since the alumina price in Shandong province of China holds firm above RMB2,800/t (USD444/t), big refineries continued to increase production. Therefore, demand for imported bauxite rose by around 6% MOM to 3.9 million tonnes in January 2015, basically on a par with that in the same time of last year. After Chinese Spring Festival, small-scaled alumina refineries will also improve operating rate, so the consumption volume for imported bauxite will continue to rise in March.
From the above graph, we know that the imported bauxite stocks during 2014 kept declining, especially in the middle and late of the year, because the operating rate for Chinese alumina refineries was high during those months. In early 2015, Chinese bauxite imports from Malaysia were affected by the rainfall, so the import volume reduced in January. The stocks continued to move down in late January.
Since the alumina price in Shandong province of China holds firm above RMB2,800/t (USD444/t), big refineries continued to increase production. Therefore, demand for imported bauxite rose by around 6% MOM to 3.9 million tonnes in January 2015, basically on a par with that in the same time of last year. After Chinese Spring Festival, small-scaled alumina refineries will also improve operating rate, so the consumption volume for imported bauxite will continue to rise in March.
Alumina 98.5%min FOB Australia
Unit:USD/mt
China alumina producers' number MoM output increase statistics by province by month
Unit: pcs
