China’s alumina imports plunged 40.94% from a year ago to 271,900 tonnes in October, customs data showed.

No arrival of the material from Brazil and Suriname is the main reason behind the 21.05% month-on-month decline, Shanghai Metals Market understands. Inbound shipments from these two countries totaled 139,000 tonnes in September.

Besides, mounting port stocks and falling prices at ports also curbed Chinese buyers’ appetite. Alumna stocks at the Port of Lianyungang exceeded 1 million tonnes in October. Alumina prices at the port retreated from 2,900 yuan per tonne in October, and fell further to 2,775 yuan per tonne in late November.