2009 March Zn Imports and Exports Data Analysis

SHANGHAI, Apr. 24 (SMM) --
Zinc Concentrate:
According to China Customs, domestic imports of zinc concentrate were 192kt during March, down 28.1% MoM, and cumulative imports in 1Q were 688kt, up 15.7% YoY. Resumption of domestic zinc concentrate capacity helped reduce the need for imports during March, but as many lead and zinc concentrate producers were still waiting for the optimal time to restart idled capacity, domestic output of zinc concentrate will increase only marginal, but imports of zinc concentrate during April and May are still expected to be less than February's 267kt.
Refined Zinc:
According to China Customs, domestic imports of refined zinc were 121kt during March, up 56.85% MoM.  Cumulative imports in 1Q were 211ktm up 883% YoY. Exports of refined zinc were 785mt during March, down 62.6% MoM, and cumulative exports were 3,848mt, down 82.3% YoY.
Increases in imports of refined zinc during March were more CBI's previous forecast of 100kt. Imports of refined zinc during April will be flat at March levels.
Zinc Oxide:
Domestic imports of zinc oxide were 1,374mt during March, with cumulative imports in 1Q of 2,813mt, down 36.8% YoY.  Exports were 1,043mt, with cumulative exports in 1Q of 2,378mt, down 78.88% YoY.  Monthly net imports should remain unchanged.

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