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Immediate VIEW-China's March imports of copper and iron ore rise y/y

China's imports of copper and iron ore rose in March from a year earlier, while those of petroleum and soybeans fell, information from the General Administration of Custom-mades showed on Friday.

China's March exports fell 7.5% year-on-year, while imports all of a sudden shrank 1.9%, both undershooting market forecasts by big margins, the customizeds information showed, highlighting the hard task dealing with policymakers as they attempt to strengthen an unstable economic healing.

BOTTOM LINES:

* Soybeans: March imports at 5.54 mmt, down about 20% y/y

* Crude oil: March imports at 49.05 mmt, down 6.2% y/y

* Iron ore: March imports at 100.72 mmt, up 0.49% y/y

* Copper: March imports at 474,000 mt, up 16% y/y

* Coal: March imports at 41.38 mmt, almost flat y/y

* Rare earths: March exports at 4,709.6 mt, up 5.93% y/y

Initial table of commodity trade data

Below are comments from analysts on the products data.

DISCUSS COPPER

HE TIANYU, SHANGHAI-BASED COPPER ANALYST AT CRU

The double-digit growth was pegged at a fairly low base, offered copper demand was limited by COVID-related restrictions last March.

On the other hand, purchasers scheduled more shipments in early March with better need expectations, although actual usage was moistened by a rise in copper prices later on that month.

DISCUSS IRON ORE

CHU XINLI, SHANGHAI-BASED ANALYST AT CHINA FUTURES

Reasonably high imports could be because of earlier expectations that steel mills would resume production in the month, which will raise ore demand accordingly.

PEI HAO, SHANGHAI-BASED ANALYST AT INTERNATIONAL BROKERAGE FIS

Less weather-related disruptions on shipments also played a function in high iron ore imports.

We expect iron ore imports in April to increase even more on both a monthly and a yearly basis.

TALK ABOUT PETROLEUM

EMMA LI, CHINA CRUDE OIL EXPERT AT VORTEXA IN SINGAPORE

March's very high Russian imports are likely a one-off on the back of abnormally high Far East Sokol arrivals, and the momentum is likely pertaining to an end as Russia is cutting crude exports (mainly on the Baltic side). Due to the fact that of the really high light-sweet crude imports, which will fuel light-distillate production, Chinese refiners will require to press some CPP barrels into exports.

DISCUSS SOYBEANS

LIU JINLU, AGRICULTURAL RESEARCHER AT GUOYUAN FUTURES

The import information remains in line with market expectations, reflecting the reality that China's soybean demand is reasonably weak due to weak profits at the livestock sector impacting need for soymeal. On the other hand, the high expense of imported soybeans this year has likewise impacted the reward for Chinese buyers to import soybeans.

COMMENT ON RARE EARTH

YANG JIAWEN, EXPERT AT SHANGHAI METALS MARKET

The increase in unusual earths exports last month is partly driven by growing overseas need, particularly from such sectors as brand-new energy cars and wind turbines, and Chinese rates are also appealing enough.

The month-on-month modification is more obvious, due to the fact that the Lunar New Year vacation break beinged in February this year; production and trade resumed in March.

LINKS: For details, see the main Customs website ( www.customs.gov.cn). BACKGROUND:. China is the world's most significant petroleum importer and leading buyer of. coal, iron ore and soybeans.