China’s bauxite imports mark a new monthly high in April 2024, with Turkey replacing Brazil as the third-highest exporter

According to China customs data, the country’s bauxite imports in April 2024 reached a record monthly high of 14.2376 million tonnes, up by 20.02 per cent M-o-M and 18.84 per cent Y-o-Y. In March 2024, China’s bauxite import volume amounted to 11.8628 million tonnes, reflecting an increase of 5.19 per cent M-o-M and a decline of 1.43 per cent Y-o-Y.

In April 2024, China’s bauxite imports marked the second consecutive month of increase, following a drop in February to 11.2775 million tonnes from 13.2019 million tonnes in January. Thus, in the past four months, China’s bauxite imports totalled 50.5798 million tonnes, according to China customs data.

Guinea topped the list of suppliers, followed by Australia, Turkey, Ghana, and so on. From Guinea, China imported 10.4956 million tonnes of bauxite in April 2024, which was 18.97 per cent higher month-on-month than 8.8221 million tonnes and 18.51 per cent year-on-year, setting a historical data. From January to April, China’s total bauxite imports from Guinea amounted to 37.4938 million tonnes, accounting for 74.13 per cent of the total imports. On a year-on-year basis, China’s bauxite imports from Guinea recorded an increase of 7.82 per cent in April 2024.

From Australia, the second-highest supplier, China imported 3.1345 million tonnes of bauxite, up by 26.35 per cent M-o-M and 9.61 per cent Y-o-Y. Turkey, replacing Brazil emerged as the third-higher exporter of bauxite to China in April 2024, supplying 222,900 tonnes versus 134,600 tonnes in the previous month.

Interestingly, Ghana and Montenegro also beat Brazil’s export volume, providing 123,600 tonnes and 72,300 tonnes to China. Brazil’s bauxite exports to China were 54,000 tonnes in April, Côte d'Ivoire’s were 53,600 tonnes, and Laos and Malaysia’s were 45,800 tonnes and 35,300 tonnes, respectively.

Brief review

Overall, Guinea and Australia continued to be the main two contributors of bauxite to China. The country’s domestic bauxite supply shortage continued as the production halt in Shanxi and Henan did not resume on a large scale.

In May and June, the import volume is likely to see a drop as recent disruptions in bauxite shipments from Guinea may affect port arrivals.

Sourced from SMM under the content exchange agreement