China's commodity trade improved in December, data showed on Tuesday, but analysts said timing and short-term factors made things look better than they were - and that actual demand was most likely still dire.
Global commodity markets are looking to China in hopes of seeing some price revival after metals, fuel, food and other raw materials lurched from boom to bust over the past year.
Preliminary trade data for December from China's Customs office showed imports of unwrought copper and semi-finished copper products leapt 32 percent, while exports of unwrought aluminium rocketed 155 percent from a dismal November.
Imports of iron ore rose a more modest 6 percent and exports of steel products gained 7 percent on the month.
'Imports for copper look good for the month of December. However, with what is happening in the global economy, I am not sure if this demand can continue moving into 2009,' said Adrian Koh at Phillip Futures.
Source: Forbes
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