According to customs data, China's imports of cobalt hydrometallurgical intermediates in December 2023 were about 18,100 metal tons (converted at 35% grade), an increase of 15% month-on-month and 36% year-on-year. In terms of average import price, in December 2023, the average import price of China's cobalt hydrometallurgical intermediate products was US$15,462/metal ton. The cumulative import volume from January to December 2023 is about 117,000 metal tons, an increase of 10% year-on-year.
In terms of countries, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was still the main importer in December, with an import volume of about 17,700 metal tons (converted at 35% grade) and an average import price of US$15,483 per metal ton, accounting for about 98% of imports.
In terms of regions, the top three provinces in terms of cobalt intermediate imports in December were Fujian, Jiangxi and Zhejiang. Imports accounted for 20%, 18% and 15% respectively.

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