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To: LoneClone who wrote (17617)	4/11/2008 9:25:35 PM
From: LoneClone	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 193918

China's Copper and Aluminium Imports Down Slightly in Q1 By Interfax-China 11 Apr 2008 at 10:31 AM GMT-04:00 resourceinvestor.com SHANGHAI (Interfax-China) -- China's imports of unwrought copper (copper cathode, copper anode and copper alloy) and semi-finished copper products reached 706,994 tonnes in the first quarter this year, down 8.9% from the same period of last year, according to preliminary statistics released by the General Administration of Customs today. However, unwrought copper and copper semis imports in March rose 6.02% on the previous month, with volumes reaching 240,634 tonnes. Imports of unwrought aluminium (primary aluminium and aluminium alloy) and aluminium semis in the first quarter stood at 234,961 tonnes, down 7.6% from the same period last year. However, imports in March reached 76,803 tonnes, up 5.61% on the previous month. Alumina imports dropped 33.33% on the previous month to 200,000 tonnes in March, as a result of weak demand from aluminium producers, after severe snowstorms in late January affected production. In March, China's exports of unwrought aluminium (primary aluminium and aluminium alloy) surged by 47.33% on the previous month and stood at 58,459 tonnes. The tables below show China's copper and aluminium imports and exports in March and Q1 2008. Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) copper futures fell on Friday, although futures prices continued to trade at a premium over spot prices. The most traded June delivery lost RMB 960 ($137.12), or 1.45%, to close at RMB 65,470 ($9,351.52) per tonne. Unwrought copper and copper product import volume fell 8.9% year-on-year, and investors seem unwilling to buy futures contracts due to the price premium over spot prices. The fall of gold and crude oil prices also weighed on market sentiment today. SHFE copper stock increased 695 tonnes this week to 58,890 tonnes. Shanghai aluminium futures closed lower today, but some analysts expect a rebound on the back of tightening supplies and strong market demand. The most traded June delivery fell RMB 225 ($32.143), or 1.15%, to RMB 19,330 ($2,761.43) per tonne. China's unwrought aluminium and aluminium product imports went up 6.4 year-on-year in March and aluminium prices may strengthen on the news near term. SHFE aluminium stockpiles increased by 3,873 tonnes to 181,320 tonnes this week. © Interfax-China 2008. For further information regarding Interfax China Commodities Daily Reports, contact David Harman at david.harman@interfax-news.com. Interfax also publishes a comprehensive China Grains & Soft Special Report in March 2008, contact David Harman for details.