Chinese non-ferrous base metals imports and exports saw double-digit declines through the first seven months of the year, according to China’s custom statistics data.
Aluminum and copper exports from China between January and July were valued at $13.2bn and $3.5bn, respectively, while shipments declined by 13.5pc and 17pc over the same period last year. In July, these exports were worth $2bn and $435mn, respectively.
Chinese exports of nickel, zinc, and lead in the first seven months totaled $363mn, $145mn, and $22mn, respectively. Nickel exports surged by 50pc, while zinc declined by 15.6 pc over the prior year period. Lead exports also fell by 20.4pc over the period. In July, the same exports were worth $30mn, $18mn and $4mn, respectively.
Meanwhile, copper and aluminum imports to China between January and July totaled $24.5bn and $4bn, increasing by 5pc and 13.5pc, respectively, over the same period in 2019. These imports were valued at $5.1bn and $965mn in July alone.
Chinese imports of nickel, zinc, and lead in between January and July were worth $2.2bn, $905mn and $71mn, reflecting declines of 29.6, 29.2, and 73.8pc, respectively, over the first seven months of 2019. In July, the same imports were worth $341mn, $150mn and $10mn.
Actual volumes of the metals traded were not disclosed by the customs release.
| (in $mn) | ||||||
| Category | Export | Import | Variation in YTD (in pc) | |||
| Base Metals | Jul-20 | YTD 2020 | Jul-20 | YTD 2020 | Exports | Imports |
| Copper | 435 | 3,478 | 5,144 | 24,525 | -16.9 | 5.3 |
| Nickel | 30 | 363 | 341 | 2,253 | 49.8 | -29.6 |
| Aluminum | 2,053 | 13,168 | 965 | 4,009 | -13.5 | 13.5 |
| Lead | 4 | 22 | 10 | 71 | -20.4 | -73.8 |
| Zinc | 18 | 145 | 150 | 905 | -15.6 | -29.2 |