Total imports from Russia into the world's top aluminium consumer were 105,300 tonnes for January and February combined, up from 28,759 tonnes the same period a year ago.
The total value for January and February imports was $248.39 million, or an average price of $2,359 a tonne.
The benchmark aluminium contract on the London Metal Exchange registered an average price of $2,644 and $2,373 a tonne in January and February respectively.
Russia, one of the world's top aluminium exporters, is a key supplier to China, accounting for 69% of China's total primary aluminium imports last year, or 667,992 tonnes, according to customs data.
Russian aluminium giant Rusal has been looking to supply more low-carbon aluminium to China as demand for the metal rises from China's electric vehicle firms, a company manager said last year.
Chinese demand for the metal, chiefly used in its
construction and transport sectors, has risen since China
abandoned its strict COVID-19 measures late last year.
China is also buying more after Western countries announced sweeping sanctions in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The United States has imposed a 200% tariff on aluminium and derivatives produced in Russia effective March 10. That followed Canada's ban on the import of all Russian aluminium and steel products.
Meanwhile, Switzerland-based Glencore said last
week it will not renew a $16 billion deal to buy aluminium from
Rusal when it expires next year.
(Reporting by Siyi Liu and Dominique Patton; Editing by Robert
Birsel)
