US imports of bauxite slowed noticeably in 2025 after a relatively steady climb in the previous year. By the third quarter of 2025, inbound shipments stood at 403,000 tonnes. That figure was 27 per cent lower than the 553,000 tonnes imported in the same quarter of 2024 and 38 per cent below the third quarter of 2023.

The contrast becomes clearer when looking at the January-September period. During the first nine months of 2024, US imports reached 1.58 million tonnes and over the same stretch of 2025, volumes slipped to 1.25 million tonnes, marking a 20.9 per cent decline.

Quarterly movements show how the year unfolded. Imports began at 480,000 tonnes in the first quarter of 2025. They then dropped sharply in the second quarter to 369,000 tonnes, a fall of 23.1 per cent. A modest rebound followed in the third quarter, when volumes edged up 9.2 per cent to 403,000 tonnes.

A year earlier, however, the direction had been upward. Imports stood at 501,000 tonnes in the first quarter of 2024, increased to 527,000 tonnes in the second quarter and climbed again to 553,000 tonnes by the third quarter.

A closer look at supplier data shows how the decline played out across key exporting countries.

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Jamaica continues to dominate US supply

Despite the overall contraction in imports, Jamaica remained the United States’ principal source of bauxite in both years. Shipments from the Caribbean supplier, however, also moved lower in 2025.

In 2024, imports from Jamaica amounted to 470,000 tonnes in the first quarter. Volumes edged up to 487,000 tonnes in the second quarter before falling to 365,000 tonnes in the third quarter. Even with the late-year drop, the three-quarter total still reached 1.32 million tonnes.

The pattern was weaker in 2025. Imports from Jamaica came in at 429,000 tonnes in the first quarter, then dropped significantly to 302,000 tonnes in the second quarter. By the third quarter shipments recovered slightly, rising to 332,000 tonnes. Across the first nine months of 2025, the United States imported 1.06 million tonnes of bauxite from Jamaica, representing a 19.7 per cent year-on-year decline.

Also read: 2025 Global bauxite production stands at around 480MT - From Weipa to Paragominas, who’s powered the growth?

Turkish shipments show contrasting yearly patterns

Turkey, another supplier to the US market, displayed a different trajectory. In 2024, shipments were relatively small early in the year but surged later. Imports rose from 20,000 tonnes in the first quarter to 24,900 tonnes in the second quarter. The third quarter then saw a dramatic increase, with volumes jumping to 187,000 tonnes. Altogether, imports from Turkey reached 232,000 tonnes over the first three quarters of the year.

In 2025 the pattern was less extreme. Imports began at 33,100 tonnes in the first quarter and rose to 61,700 tonnes in the second quarter. By the third quarter they eased slightly to 57,800 tonnes. Even with the higher early-year volumes, total shipments from Turkey during the first nine months of 2025 reached 153,000 tonnes - 34.1 per cent lower than the same period in 2024.

Smaller suppliers remain volatile

Other countries accounted for only a small share of US bauxite imports, but their shipments fluctuated widely. In 2024, imports from these suppliers rose from 11,100 tonnes in the first quarter to 14,500 tonnes in the second quarter. By the third quarter, however, volumes had dropped sharply to just 622 tonnes. For the first three quarters combined, imports from these sources totalled 26,200 tonnes.

In 2025 the quarterly pattern shifted again. Imports were 17,200 tonnes in the first quarter before falling to 5,650 tonnes in the second quarter. Shipments then rebounded in the third quarter, reaching 13,400 tonnes. Taken together, imports from these countries amounted to 36,300 tonnes during the first nine months of 2025 -  a  38.5 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2024.

Long-term refinery closures reshape US demand

Behind the changing import figures lies a longer structural shift in the US alumina sector. Refining capacity in the country has steadily declined over the past two decades as major facilities have shut down. Annual alumina production in the United States has fallen sharply, from about 5 million tonnes in 2000 to roughly 600,000 tonnes.

Among the closures was Sherwin Alumina in Texas, which shut down in 2016 after initially being idled and later entering bankruptcy. The Massena East refinery in New York State had already ceased operations in 2015.

By 2025, only one refinery remained active in the country - the Gramercy Refinery in Louisiana, operated by Atlantic Alumina Co. (Atalco).

Tariffs in 2025 add pressure to import economics

Trade policy developments in 2025 added further strain to the sector. Tariffs on imported bauxite were introduced in March at 25 per cent and later raised to 50 per cent in June under President Trump’s trade policy.

The change directly affected the cost structure for the Gramercy refinery, which sources most of its bauxite from Jamaica. Industry estimates suggested the tariffs added between USD 30 and USD 50 per tonne to shipping costs. This came at a time when global prices were already volatile, partly due to distortions linked to dumping by China.

Operations at Gramercy did not stop, but adjustments were required. Throughput declined, margins tightened and, as a result, US bauxite imports fell.

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