SHANGHAI, Dec. 30 (SMM) – China’s alumina imports soared 63% month-on-month to 443,327 tonnes in November 2014, customs data showed. 

 

SMM attributes the growth to winter stocking by domestic aluminum smelters, tight domestic supply, and bullishness over alumina prices.     

 

Brazil and Venezuela were major contributors to the growth in import volumes, shipping a combined 147,000 tonnes to China. The price advantage of Brazilian and Venezuelan alumina stimulated Chinese buyers to step up imports, SMM understands. The CIF prices of alumina from Brazil and Venezuela were $ 357 per tonne and $ 347 per tonne, respectively, lower than $ 362 per tonne for Australian alumina and $ 374 per tonne for Indian alumina.