Bahrain loses ground in India’s alumina trade as China and France step up

India’s alumina trade landscape is witnessing a significant transformation, driven by expanding domestic capacity and a strategic shift away from traditional suppliers like Bahrain.

The shift comes amid rising domestic alumina production and stabilising global market conditions, prompting Indian refiners to re-evaluate where and how they procure this essential input for aluminium smelting.

According to data from the Ministry of Commerce, India imported just 155,563 tonnes of alumina during the financial year April 2024 to March 2025, a steep 66.27 per cent decline from the 461,078 tonnes recorded the previous year. This dramatic drop reflects both improved domestic output and a changing approach to trade partnerships.

Monthly data further underscores this shift. Between January and May 2025, alumina imports totalled 52,308.58 tonnes, down 12.24 per cent compared to the same five-month period in 2024.

However, the monthly pattern highlights shift in India’s procurement approach. May 2025 saw a notable surge in imports, reaching 13,874.4 tonnes, a 90.95 per cent jump from 7,266.13 tonnes in May 2024.