Imported alumina deals thin in China
2018-01-24 08:47:46 [Print]
BEIJING (Asian Metal) 24 Jan 18 - After late last October, Chinese origin alumina prices dropped significantly by around RMB900/t (USD141/t) to RMB2,800-2,850/t (USD438-445/t) EXW. However, the imported alumina prices only slipped by RMB600/t (USD94/t) to RMB3,100-3,200/t (USD484-500/t). Chinese demand for imported alumina becomes weak. Because of tight supply globally, the imported alumina price may continue to keep firm in the coming month.
An aluminum smelter reported that they did not purchase imported alumina over the past four months as the price was high-held at around RMB3,200/t (USD500/t). "We ordered around 70,000t of Chinese origin alumina only at around RMB2,670/t (USD417/t) EXW last month," said the source, adding that their contract can last until this March. The source predicted that alumina prices may keep stable before Chinese New Year,
The source noted that they purchased around 200,000t of imported alumina in total in 2017. Based on the demand capacity of 120,000tpm, the consumer demands around 100,000tpm now and keeps around 50,000t in stock.
A trader in China confirmed the quiet imported alumina market. "We suspended importing alumina from after last October because of the higher price of RMB3,200/t," said the source, adding that they sold around 50,000t of Chinese origin alumina at around RMB2,700/t (USD422/t) EXW last month.
According to the trader, they imported around 200,000t of alumina in 2017 in total. They now keep around 50,000t of Chinese origin alumina in stock and offer RMB2,850/t (USD445/t), based on the regular monthly sales volume of 100,000t.
Because of the limited supply and soft demand before Chinese New Year, the trader predicted that alumina prices may keep stable in the following few weeks.
An aluminum smelter reported that they did not purchase imported alumina over the past four months as the price was high-held at around RMB3,200/t (USD500/t). "We ordered around 70,000t of Chinese origin alumina only at around RMB2,670/t (USD417/t) EXW last month," said the source, adding that their contract can last until this March. The source predicted that alumina prices may keep stable before Chinese New Year,
The source noted that they purchased around 200,000t of imported alumina in total in 2017. Based on the demand capacity of 120,000tpm, the consumer demands around 100,000tpm now and keeps around 50,000t in stock.
A trader in China confirmed the quiet imported alumina market. "We suspended importing alumina from after last October because of the higher price of RMB3,200/t," said the source, adding that they sold around 50,000t of Chinese origin alumina at around RMB2,700/t (USD422/t) EXW last month.
According to the trader, they imported around 200,000t of alumina in 2017 in total. They now keep around 50,000t of Chinese origin alumina in stock and offer RMB2,850/t (USD445/t), based on the regular monthly sales volume of 100,000t.
Because of the limited supply and soft demand before Chinese New Year, the trader predicted that alumina prices may keep stable in the following few weeks.
Alumina 98.5%min EXW China
Unit:RMB/mt
China alumina producers' inventory statistics by province by month
Unit: mt
