China imports 20 million tonnes of bauxite during 3-months period 2018

China imported 20.4 million tonnes of bauxite in the first three months of 2018, an increase of 47 per cent year-on year. In March 2018, the country’s import of bauxite increased 44 per cent year-on year to 7.2 million tonnes, based on the import-export data released by General Customs.

Data Source: metal.com

Guinea still remains the top supplier of bauxite to China. Guinea exported 3.6 million tonnes of bauxite last month, up 96 per cent year-on year .During January-March, the volume increased 118.85 per cent year-on-year to reach 10.5 million tonnes.

Guinea has been focussing on its mineral export-based strategy for growth in a big way. The country’s bauxite exports to China surged by 132.35 per cent last year. The West African country is likely to increase its bauxite exports in a similar way in 2018 as well.

Australia, one of the major exporters of bauxite to China, shipped 2.6 million tonnes of bauxite last month, up 44 per cent year on year. The quantity of bauxite exported to China totalled 7 million tonnes in the first three months of 2018.

Other top countries which supplied bauxite to China were Indonesia, Brazil, Solomon Islands and Jamaica in March 2018.