Alumina exports exceed imports for 1st time in 2018

SHANGHAI, Oct 24 (SMM) – China's year-to-date export of alumina exceeded imports for the first time this year. Alumina exports stood at 539,000 mt in January-September, bringing net exports to 134,000 mt, showed China Customs data. 

In September, the net export of alumina stood at 136,000 mt, as China exported 166,000 mt of alumina and imported 30,000 mt. 

Exports in September were mostly from contracts signed in July and August, given a backlog of cargoes at ports. 

SMM expects the net exports to sustain in the rest of the year, as more than 100,000 mt of materials depart domestic ports in the near future. In 2017, net import of alumina stood at 2.82 million mt, according to China Customs data.