According to customs statistics, China's imports in January this year, 659,000 tons of alumina, compared with the same period last year (the same below) grew by 13.3 percent, worth 240 million US dollars, an increase of 7.1%, the average import price of 369 US dollars / ton, down 5.5%.

     First, in January this year, China's imports of the main features of alumina

     (1) month of a strong rebound in imports. Since May 2007, the monthly import volume of alumina has remained at 500,000 tons below May 2007, the import volume of the month or even less than 300,000 tons (under). January this year, China's monthly imports of 659,000 tons of alumina, a ring-fold increase since January 2007 has been 13 months, the first time exceeded 600,000 tons, the rebound momentum is very strong.

     (B) General trade imports mainly. In January, China's general trade Aluminum electrolytic capacitor  imports of 561,000 tons of alumina, an increase of 12.2 percent, accounting for the same period China's alumina 85.1% of total imports. In addition to the bonded warehouse of goods entering and exiting the importation of 97,000 tons, an increase of 23.8%; processing trade imports 01,000 tons, down 51.3%.

     (C) imports mainly from Australia and India. In January, China's imports of alumina from Australia 569,000 tons, an increase of 4 per cent over the same period China's alumina 86.3% of total imports since India imports 87,000 tons, an increase of 1.8 times. Taken together for the same period and China's alumina 99.5% of total imports.

     (D) imports mainly concentrated in Beijing, Shandong, Guangdong and Ningxia provinces (regions). January, the four provinces (regions) were imported 272,000 tons of alumina Aluminum electrolytic capacitor  and 104,000 tons, 63,000 tons and 57,000 tons, respectively, up 33.6 percent, 22.2 times, 87.5% and 194 times the total of four provinces and municipalities over the same period National Alumina 75.3% of total imports.

     Second, the recent sharp growth in China's alumina imports the main reason

     (1) import tariff policies to regulate and control evident result. Released by the Ministry of Finance at the beginning of the "2008 tariff plan" in the non-ferrous metal products decrease in import tariffs. Which since January 1, 2008 will alumina import tariffs down to zero from 3 per cent tariff. The direct incentives to reduce the company's import costs, reduce imports of alumina and alumina domestic post and stimulate imports.

     (B) domestic alumina production by the impact of the snowstorm. It is understood that because of a rare recent domestic sustained storm caused Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou, Yunnan and other areas of electricity facilities were seriously damaged. China's aluminum production capacity of 32 million tons of Guizhou Aluminum Plant and the capacity of 110,000 tons of Zunyi Aluminum therefore January 23 from the shutdown, the corresponding result of the alumina factory production, With this part of the import substitution of alumina demand.

     (C) the international market Aluminum was up to stimulate imports of alumina. China Aluminum weather disasters rising costs sharply higher. At the same time, the international market widely rumored that the world's major aluminium suppliers in South Africa because of a shortage of electricity output of about 1.5 million tons, and the United States to take measures to stimulate the economy and stimulate basic metals expected to Aluminum electrolytic capacitor  cut overall strength, as well as promoting international Aluminum in London. Aluminum high in the stimulation of the domestic aluminum smelting enterprises have stepped up the preparation of raw materials, but to the alumina imports.