China's Bauxite Imports Surge in April 2024, Driven by Increased Demand from Domestic Alumina Refineries
China's bauxite imports saw a significant increase in April 2024, totalling 24.4794 million tonnes, up 4% year-over-year. This surge was driven by growing demand from domestic alumina refineries, which are increasingly relying on imported ores due to a shortage of domestic supply[1][3].
Guinea remained the top supplier, providing 18.1761 million tonnes (74.25% of total imports) in the first two months of 2024. Australia was the second-largest exporter, shipping 5.4865 million tonnes (22.41% of total)[1].
SMM expects China's bauxite trade to remain active in 2024, with imports from Australia likely to rebound. The escalated production of domestic alumina has made Chinese refineries more dependent on imported ores as some mines in Shanxi and Henan were closed before the Chinese New Year holidays[1].
Citations:
[1] https://www.alcircle.com/news/chinas-bauxite-imports-show-4-y-o-y-rise-in-jan-feb24-due-to-domestic-refineries-dependency-on-overseas-ores-110554
[2] https://thebauxiteindex.com/news/weekly-wraps/
[3] https://www.alcircle.com/news/key-highlights-from-the-global-aluminium-industry-2024-110734
[4] https://www.fastmarkets.com/insights/five-key-talking-points-ahead-of-fastmarkets-bauxite-alumina-conference/
[5] https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/market-insights/latest-news/metals/060723-feature-china-sets-sights-on-overseas-alumina-projects-to-unlock-bauxite-deposits