China imported 540,000 tons of chromium ore valued at 166.184 million US dollars in March 2008. The import in January-March reached 1,660,000 tons valued at 533. 610 million US dollars, up 24.5 percent and 111.5 percent respectively year on year.

   Following is a table showing the import from 2004 to March 2008, released by the General Administration of Customs:

             Cumulative   Change y-o-  Cumulative   Change y-o- 
             Quantity   ( y (%)        Value (      y (%)       
             1,000 tons)               million US               
                                       dollars)                 
                                                                
2004         2,170        21.8         381.310      152.8       
                                                                
                                                                
2005         3,020        39.6         595.569      56.2        
                                                                
                                                                
2006         4,320        42.9         739.174      24.2        
                                                                
                                                                
2007                                                            
                                                                
January      500          119.9        90.718       133.7       
                                                                
February     850          94.8         155.084      122.3       
                                                                
March        1,330        66.0         252.494      102.2       
                                                                
April        1,870        58.1         379.075      105.2       
                                                                
May          2,400        54.7         506.174      106.5       
                                                                
June         2,830        38.3         620.819      86.3        
                                                                
July         3,360        33.1         762.651      80.6        
                                                                
August       4,110        40.3         985.695      99.9        
                                                                
September    4,530        36.6         1,101.157    94.4        
                                                                
October      4,990        34.5         1,230.446    93.8        
                                                                
November     5,630        39.6         1,414.900    105.5       
                                                                
December     6,090        41.0         1,549.656    109.6       
                                                                
                                                                
2008                                                            
                                                                
January      600          18.8         196.705      116.8       
                                                                
February     1,120        31.4         367.359      137.0       
                                                                
March        1,660        24.5         533.610      111.5