China February Alumina Imports Down 37.4% MoM

SHANGHAI, Mar. 12 (SMM) -- According to China Customs, China imported 280,000 mt of alumina during February, up 24.4% YoY, but down 37.4% from January’s 447,000 mt.

SMM believes there are two reasons behind lower alumina imports in February. First, prices for Western Australia alumina rose. Average FOB prices for Western Australia alumina were USD 310.7/mt in January, while average prices were USD 318.5/mt in February, up USD 7.8/mt or 2.5%. Second, domestic alumina supply increased. China’s National Bureau of Statistics announced that domestic alumina output in February was 2.84 million mt, up 8.6% YoY.