2009 March Al Imports Data Analysis

SHANGHAI, Apr. 24 (SMM) --
Bauxite:
According to China Customs, bauxite imports were 939.6kt during March, down 66.49% YoY, and down nearly 10% MoM. Bauxite imports have fallen for several consecutive months. As current prices for alumina remain at cost level, and since producers using imported bauxite gained no cost advantage and continued to consume existing inventories, Chinese demand for imported bauxite declined gradually. 
Alumina:
According to China Customs, alumina imports were 274.3kt during March, up 38.52% YoY, but down significantly compared to February.  These trends were unexpected as domestic alumina prices are higher than imported alumina. However, according to CBI sources, imported alumina stockpiles at domestic ports have reached over 2 million mt since Chinese New Year, up nearly 150% YoY, so MoM declines in alumina imports were attributed existing high inventories.
Aluminum:
According to China Customs, primary aluminum imports were 86kt during March, up over 1,486% YoY. Soaring imports of primary aluminum were in line with previous market predictions, and CBI predicts imports will rise further, to nearly 200kt, during April.

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