China Primary Aluminum Imports Fall Nearly 60 Per cent YoY in July

Aluminium Ingot January Production Analysis & February Forecast

According to SMM's research findings, Yunnan Province is currently experiencing a dry season, with hydropower contribution remaining at a relatively low level. Enterprises have no immediate plans for production resumption and await clearer policy guidance from the power sector.

The implementation of Indonesia's ban on bauxite exports since June last year has led to bauxite surplus, brought challenges to consume domestically as the Indonesia's alumina plants have limited capacity. Ronald Sulistyanto, Chairman of the Indonesian Bauxite and Iron Ore Entrepreneurs Association (Asosiasi Pengusaha Bauksit dan Bijih Besi Indonesia - APB3I), highlighted the struggle to secure external investment for alumina plant projects, while some entrepreneurs are forced to cut costs or halt production. However, there is hope for relief through potential relaxation of the export ban policy. Efforts are underway to boost alumina production capacity, although challenges persist in addressing the surplus bauxite issue.

China imported 7,706 tonnes of primary aluminum in August, down 20.7 per cent on a yearly basis, according to China Customs. 

LME aluminum will trade at USD 2,005-2,035/mt on Thursday, and SHFE 1710 aluminum will regain losses seen on Wednesday’s night trading, with price estimated at RMB 16,000-16,250/mt. 

China’s exports of unwrought aluminum and aluminum semis fell 79.73% on a yearly basis to 460,000 tonnes in June, China Customs reported.

For the national security reasons, The US Department of Commerce launched an investigation into the impact of aluminum product imports, which was generally unfazed by China's aluminum industry.

US Commerce Department announced Tuesday the country’s aluminum imports slid to 223,927,550 kg in February. Total imports in the first two months of the year were 495,852,531 kg.

Prebaked anode prices in China’s domestic market rose by about 620 yuan per tonne in January 2017 after Shandong Weiqiao raised its procurement price. 

Malaysia announced on Thursday to extend the ban on bauxite mining by another three months.