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China's gold imports via Hong Kong dip 18% m/m in June

China's net gold imports by means of Hong Kong dropped 18% in June from the previous month, Hong Kong Census and Data Department information revealed on Thursday, as the recent rise in gold prices weighed on jewelry demand.

Net imports into the world's leading gold consumer stood at 21.919 metric lots in June, compared with 26.722 metric lots in May, data showed.

Overall gold imports via Hong Kong were down 15.4% at 29.524 loads.

WHY IT is essential?

China is the greatest bullion customer and its buying patterns can have bearing on global costs. The People's Bank of China refrained from gold purchases to its reserves for a 2nd consecutive month in June, official data showed earlier this month.

The Chinese reserve bank, which controls the amount of gold getting in the nation by means of quotas to business banks, was the largest official sector purchaser of gold in 2023.

CRUCIAL QUOTE

Precious jewelry demand is slowing as customer gloom deepens, evidenced by China's largest jewelry manufacturer- Chow Tai Fook's 20% drop in Q1 sales and LVMH's depression in high-end goods sales in China, stated StoneX expert Rhona O'Connell in an email.

There is a possibility that this trend will reverse as there are some indications of restored financier interest in gold, although this may be concentrated in bars instead of precious jewelry.

CONTEXT

The Hong Kong data may not provide a complete picture of Chinese purchases, as gold is likewise imported via Shanghai and Beijing.

China still has lots of cravings for main gold purchases regardless of stopping briefly in May and June, as low holdings relative to reserves drive ongoing acquisition, according to a. policy expert, market experts and data.

According to Goldman Sachs, Chinese gold demand is now. cyclically soft due to cost level of sensitivity and current price. surges, but emerging-market reserve banks, including China's,. are most likely to continue to buy gold often, whether disclosed. or not.

Area gold struck a record high of $2,483.60 an ounce. last week, however has shed more than $100 since then.

(source: Reuters)