SMM China Al Imports Data Analysis June 2011

SHANGHAI, Aug. 1 (SMM) --
Bauxite:
According to China Customs, China imported 3.49 million mt of bauxite during June, down over 1 million mt, or 22.45%, compared with May’s 4.50 million mt. All June imports were from Indonesia and Australia, with 2.75 million mt from Indonesia, down 21.04% from May, and 742 kt from Australia, also down 23.93% from May. This was the first month in 2011 only two countries supplied bauxite to China, but imports in June were still up 18.27% YoY.

Alumina:
Customs data shows China’s alumina imports fell again to 72.2 kt during June, down 49.36% YoY, and with YTD imports from January to June down 56.73% YoY. Current overseas alumina spot prices were down slightly, but domestic alumina prices were up sharply, so SMM predicts China’s imports of alumina will increase during 2H 2011.