BEIJING: China’s aluminium exports jumped 15% in April versus a year earlier, customs data showed on Saturday, as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz tightens global aluminium markets and lifts prices overseas.

Unwrought aluminium and product exports were 598,000 metric tons in April and year-to-date shipments hit 2.05 million tons, up 8.9% on the corresponding period last year.

April was the highest month of exports in at least a year.

Analysts have been forecasting a strong year for Chinese aluminium exports due to the impact of the Iran war.

Indonesia’s March aluminium exports hit 28-month high

Copper concentrate imports in April were 2.35 million metric tons and imports year-to-date hit 9.92 million metric tons, down 0.8% on the corresponding period last year.