China imported less gold in November compared to the month before, according to the latest data published by the South China Morning Post. Gross imports in November were 107,36 tonnes, compared to a 7-month high of 147,92 tonnes in October. Despite the drop in imports compared to one month ago, imports were still higher compared to the same month of 2012. However, the monthly difference between this year and least year was the smallest in November.
Net gold imports, which deduct the flow of gold from China back to Hong Kong from the gross import figure, dropped to 76,39 tonnes in November. Compared to the 131,19 tonnes in November it amounts to a 42% decrease in demand. From May till October, the net Chinese gold imports were steady above 100 tonnes.
A dealer in Hong Kong gave toe following explanation for the decline in gold imports: “It seems that banks have finished using up the quotas, which may be the reason why imports were down. Another reason is that people already have enough gold after recent purchases because prices had been steady in November.”
Bargain hunters in the Chinese gold market are either waiting for lower prices or have already bought gold in October.
Chinese gold imports dropped 42% in November
China largest buyer of gold
This year China will import more gold than India, the second largest buyer of gold. Indian demand for gold remains strong, but as a result of the import restrictions (tax and quota) the official gold imports declined. The decline was offset by in increase in gold smuggling. According to the World Gold Council (WGC) the amount of gold smuggled into India was about 150 tonnes.
The Chinese authorities in the other hand promote the accumulation of gold, by increasing the number of companies allowed to import and export gold through the Shanghai Gold Exchange. The graphs below only represent the gold imports of China through Hong Kong and not the imports through other channels. Earlier this year we found out that China is also importing gold directly through Shanghai. Unfortunately, we don’t know how those number relate to the imports through Hong Kong.
China remains very secretive regarding the gold market. They don’t publish total gold imports on a month to month basis. Also, China is reluctant to share the size of their official gold reserves with the rest of the world.
Gross versus Net Chinese gold imports
