China's alumina imports more than doubled in September compared to August's multi-year low, as higher domestic prices narrowed the gap with London Metal Exchange prices.
Alumina imports rebounded to 80,000 tonnes in September from 35,144 tonnes in August, reversing an eight-month slide, according to preliminary customs data.
However, September imports remained 74% lower year-on-year and total shipments for the nine months were down by 62.5% to 1.19 million tonnes.
Rising aluminium prices in China almost erased the price difference with LME prices, thus encouraging import bookings, traders told MB.
Aluminium scrap imports also rose in September, to 220,000 tonnes, up 8.1% from August and 9.2% lower year-on-year, according to preliminary customs data.
This took the nine-month total to 1.9 million tonnes, down 11.5% year-on-year.
Also in September, imports of unwrought aluminium and aluminium fabricated products fell by 6.8% from August to 66,163 tonnes, just 0.6% higher year-on-year, while unwrought aluminium exports dropped 2.4% from August to 60,715 tonnes, up 10.2% year-on-year.
For the first nine months of the year, imports of unwrought aluminium and aluminium fabricated products reached 667,863 tonnes, down 7.9% year-on-year, with unwrought aluminium exports up 3.9% at 553,617 tonnes.
豫公网安备41010502003434号