China Cobalt Raw Material Imports Soared in July, with Jiangxi Contributing Most of the Increase

SHANGHAI, Aug 22 (SMM) - According to customs data, China imported 10,000 mt of cobalt raw material in metal content in July, a month-on-month increase of 42% and year-on-year increase of 37%. Imports of cobalt raw materials totalled 55,800 mt in metal content from January to July.

Imports of cobalt ore were 136 mt in metal content in July (calculated at 8% grade), down 32% month-on-month and 2% year-on-year. Imports of cobalt ore were 1,079 mt in metal content from January to July, up 105% year-on-year.

Imports of cobalt hydrometallurgy intermediate products were 9,600 mt in metal content in July (calculated at 30% grade), up 48% month-on-month and 43% year-on-year. Imports of cobalt hydrometallurgy intermediate products totalled 52,700 mt in metal content from January to July, up 9% year-on-year.

Imports of unwrought cobalt were 339 mt in metal content in July (calculated at 99.8% grade), up 57% month-on-month, but down 20% year-on-year. Imports of unwrought cobalt totalled 2,100 mt in metal content from January to July, down 58% year-on-year.

The monthly average import price of cobalt hydrometallurgy intermediate products was $61,405/mt in metal content in July, down 25% month-on-month. The average import price of cobalt hydrometallurgy intermediate products stood at $63,916/mt in metal content from January to July.  

Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Guangdong were the top three importing provinces. It is worth noting that Jiangxi recorded the largest month-on-month increase of 243%. The top 5 importing provinces all reported an increase in import volume when compared with June.