Operating rates at silicon metal producers in China gained 4.8 percentage points on the month to 55% in December, according to an SMM survey. This was 16.1% higher than the same period last year. Higher operating rates in Xinjiang, Fujian, Guangxi, Shaanxi and Hunan offset declined supply from south-west China amid a dry season.

Resumption of production in Yunnan and Sichuan accounted for the rally in April’s operating rates. Silicon plants in Nujiang of Yunnan and Ngawa and Leshan of Sichuan reopened part of their capacity ahead of the arrival of rainy session, and this offset some capacity curtailment in Xinjiang and Chongqing due to losses and tight ore supply. 

China imported 358.4 million mt of iron ore and concentrate in the first four months of 2020, up 5.4% from the same period last year, the country’s General Administration of Customs said Thursday.

China imported 1.75 million mt of unwrought copper and copper products in the first four months of 2020, up 10.4% from the same period last year, the country’s general administration of customs said Thursday.

China exported 256,000 mt of aluminium plate/sheet, strip and foil in March, up 61.03% from February and 4.42% higher than the same month of 2019, according to the latest data from China customs.

Last month, the capacity in operation reduced in Xinjiang, Sichuan and Shaanxi. Continued raw materials shortage kept major silicon plants in Xinjiang from resuming the capacity that has been shut down since February. Meanwhile, falling silicon prices prompted some medium-scale producers to cut output or undergo maintenance in the second half of March. 

China’s General Administration of Customs will release the country’s trade data for March on Tuesday, which are expected to show signs of improvement after declining sharply in the first two months of the year.

China imported 3.77 million mt of copper ore and concentrate in the first two months of 2020, down 1.2% from the same period last year, according to data from China Customs released on Saturday.

China imported 1.77 million mt of iron ore and concentrate in the first two months of 2020, up 1.5% from the same period last year, according to the latest data from China Customs.

Overall inventories of silicon metal remained in a downward trend as of February 28, but inventory at ports increased as the resumption of motor traffic in south China accelerated the shipments of...