SHANGHAI, May 16 (SMM) - According to customs data, China imported 98,300 mt of unwrought aluminium alloy in March, down 18.5% YoY, but up 11.8% MoM. The imports totalled 267,200 mt in the first quarter, a year-on-year decrease of 18.8%.
China exported 19,700 mt of unwrought aluminium alloy in March, up 7.5% YoY, but down 6.2% MoM. The exports amounted to 57,000 mt in the first quarter, a year-on-year increase of 50.3%.
Since the beginning of this year, overseas aluminium scrap and aluminium alloy ingot prices have been at a relatively high level. Recently, ADC12 in Malaysia and South Korea that meets the national standards was quoted at $2,340-2,360/mt. The import losses were between 500-800 yuan/mt, discouraging traders from importing. SMM estimates that the port arrivals of imported aluminium alloy ingots will fall back to 80,000-100,000 mt in the future.
