US alumina imports surge as domestic output falters — a sign of growing reliance?

While bauxite imports to the United States show a steady course, alumina tells a different story. In the first quarter of 2025, US alumina imports reached 439,000 tonnes, marking a significant uptick both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter.  The data revealed a 24.7 per cent rise from the previous quarter (352,000 tonnes) and an even sharper 53.5 per cent leap compared to Q1 2024 (286,000 tonnes), signaling a marked shift in sourcing dynamics.

The upward trajectory, which began in Q2 2024 with 325,000 tonnes, gained momentum through Q3 (378,000 tonnes), momentarily slowed in Q4 (352,000 tonnes), and rebounded strongly in Q1 2025. This pattern, when juxtaposed with falling domestic production, paints a clear picture: the US is becoming increasingly dependent on imported alumina.

Brazil and Jamaica: driving the surge

Brazil remained the highest exporter of alumina to the US in Q1 2025, recording a year-on-year surge of 43 per cent and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 42.3 per cent. In the previous two quarters (Q3 and Q4 of 2024), the export volume stood at 257,000 tonnes and 220,000 tonnes, respectively, decreasing sequentially by 6 per cent and 14 per cent, found the USGS data. In Q1 2025, the United States’ alumina imports from Brazil amounted to 313,000 tonnes.

Also read: US bauxite imports slide 4% in Q1, with Turkey pulling back and Atlantic Alumina under pressure

Jamaica followed suit, exporting 66,000 tonnes. Compared to Q1 2024, Jamaica’s alumina exports to the US jumped by 238 per cent Y-o-Y from 19,500 tonnes, and rose by 65.41 per cent Q-o-Q from 39,900 tonnes.