China’s total bauxite supply may increase with short-term bauxite prices likely under pressure

According to data from March 7, the weekly total bauxite port arrivals at Chinese ports reached 3.889 million tonnes, a decrease of 681,400 tonnes compared to the previous week. The weekly total bauxite port departures from Guinea's main ports were 3.2182 million tonnes, down by 898,500 tonnes from the previous week. The weekly total bauxite port departures from Australia's main ports were 836,200 tonnes, a decrease of 39,200 tonnes compared to the previous week.

Overall, the average weekly port departures of bauxite from Guinea's main ports were 3.19 million tonnes per week in January (5 weeks) and 3.47 million tonnes per week in February (4 weeks), showing an overall increasing trend in Guinea's bauxite shipments.

It is expected that Guinea's bauxite imports may show an increasing trend from February to April compared to earlier periods. Australia's average weekly port departures of bauxite were 930,000 tonnes per week in December (4 weeks), 700,000 tonnes per week in January (5 weeks), and 590,000 tonnes per week in February, with a significant decline in port departures due to the rainy season.

However, in the past two weeks, Australia's bauxite port departures exceeded 800,000 tonnes per week, rebounding from the previous weekly levels of around 400,000-700,000 tonnes. The impact of the rainy season has been relatively small in the past two weeks, and Australia's bauxite imports to China in March may increase.

SMM Comments: In the short term, the growth in Guinea's bauxite shipments may boost domestic supply, potentially exerting downward pressure on bauxite prices. This is compounded by the existing high-cost pressure on alumina, together suggesting a potential decrease in bauxite prices in the near future.

Note: This article has been issued by SMM and has been published by AL Circle in its original form without any modifications or edits to the information.