China's non-ferrous metal industry is expected to witness hard times this year after drastic profit drops in 2008, according to the China Non-Ferrous Metals Industry Association (CNIA).

"This year will be the toughest for the non-ferrous metal sector due to the impact of the financial crisis," said Kang Yi, chairman, CNIA.

The industry earned a profit of about 80 billion yuan in 2008, down 45 percent compared with 2007, according to the association.