The widening gap between aluminum prices on ShFE and LME gave imports of bauxite, alumina, primary aluminum, unwrought aluminum alloy, and aluminum scrap a lift in April.
While Chinese exports of aluminum plates and strips fell, but that of foils and other products increased in the month compared to the prior-year period, according to the data released by China Customs.
Bauxite
In April, imports of bauxite were 8.74mn mt, down by 12.3pc from the prior-year period. From Jan- April, the cumulative imports were 35.91mn mt, down by 6.4pc from the prior year.
Alumina
China imported 235,100mt of alumina in April, up by 7.4pc; exported 8,700mt tons of alumina, down by 69.9pc from the prior year. The cumulative imports of alumina from January to April were 919,200mt, down by 20.55pc from the prior year. From January to April, the total export of alumina was 31,700mt, down by 49.32pc from the prior year.
Primary aluminum
China imported 155,600mt of primary aluminum in April 2021, a 20-fold increase. From January to April, the cumulative import of 488,900mt registered a 23-fold increase compared to the prior-year period.
Unwrought aluminum alloy
In April 2021, China imported 89,000mt of unwrought aluminum alloys, an increase of 10,800mt from March 2021, and up by 39.26pc from the prior year. Cumulative imports from January to April were 219,000mt, a gain of 8.06pc from the prior year.
Scrap aluminum
China imported 112,400mt of aluminum scrap in April, an increase of 57.24pc from the prior year. Cumulative imports from January to April were 333,600mt, an increase of 23.38pc year-on-year.
Aluminum strips
China exported 217,100mt of aluminum plates and strips in April 2021, down 3.25pc from the prior year. Cumulative exports from January to April were 854,000mt, up 5.52pc from the prior year.
The country imported 23,500mt of aluminum plates and strips in April, up by 0.44pc. Cumulative imports from January to April were 96,800mt, 19pc up from the prior year.
Aluminum foils
In April, China’s aluminum foil exports were 111,600mt, down by 3.29pc, and the cumulative exports from January to April were 450,300mt, a year-on-year increase of 6.25pc.
In April, China imported 7,878 tons of aluminum foil, up by 20.12pc from the prior year. Cumulative imports from January to April were 29,700mt, a year-on-year increase of 28.15pc.
Aluminum and its products
In April, China exported aluminum and its products to the tune of 755,500mt, up 11pc from the prior year. While the cumulative exports from January to April were 2,948,200mt, an increase of 16.34pc from the prior year.
In April, China imported 290,500mt of aluminum and its products, up by 156.72pc from the prior year. Cumulative imports from January to April were 975,800mt, 124.4pc from the prior year.