China’s bauxite imports in June’22 decline 21% M-o-M as supplies from Guinea & Australia dip due to bad weather

According to the China Customs data, the country’s bauxite imports in June 2022 stood at 9.42 million tonnes, down by 21.4 per cent month-on-month and 7.1 per cent year-on-year. Compared with May 2022, China’s bauxite imports in June fell by 2.56 million tonnes and failed to continue the monthly imports above 10 million tonnes as recorded in previous months.

Guinea, the leading bauxite exporter to China, supplied 5.75 million tonnes in June. That was 17.16 per cent down month-on-month but 9.05 per cent up year-on-year, found the customs data. Imports from Australia were 2.44 million tonnes – 21.19 per cent less than in May and 23.14 per cent than in the year ago. As the hurricane in Australia affected both mining and transportation, local mining companies focused on the delivery of long-term orders in June. However, the production and shipments in July are expected to turn to normal as there were no sufferings due to extreme weather condition.

Bauxite exports from Indonesia to China were recorded at 1.05 million tonnes, which also saw a downfall of 40 per cent M-o-M and 35.8 per cent year-on-year, attributing to intense market concerns for the potential export ban by Indonesia. Most mines ran out of their export quotas in June; therefore, most alumina refineries who used to secure bauxite from Indonesia are now counting on Guinea and Australia as alternatives.

From Montenegro, Malaysia, and Jamaica, China imported 99,400 tonnes, 36,300 tonnes, and 44,500 tonnes, respectively. From Ghana and Cameroon, China imported merely 0.04 tonnes and 0.02 tonnes of bauxite, respectively.

The decline in China’s bauxite imports from Guinea was partly due to the rainy season, which lowered its bauxite output. Besides, the demand from Guinea softened as most Chinese alumina refineries already stockpiled bauxite for 1-3 months. China’s bauxite orders from Guinea will regain momentum after the current stockpiles will run out over time.