Bauxite imports rebound in Aug after rainy season

SHANGHAI, Sep 20 (SMM) – China’s bauxite imports increased 8.4% from July in August, after a 2.2% month on month decline in July, showed China Customs data. More imports from Guinea as its rainy season ended, and higher demand from Yunnan province, accounted for the rebound. 

Data showed that China’s bauxite imports stood at 7.89 million mt last month, up 20.9% from a year ago. This brought the overall imports during the first eight months up 28.5% on the year, to 57.47 million mt. 

Last month, imports from Guinea grew 16.5% from July to 3.45 million mt, and imports from Australia rose 20.7% to 3.15 million mt. Imports from the two counties accounted for a larger share of 83.5% in total imports for August, SMM learned. 

In addition, China also imported more cargoes from Malaysia, which came in at 196,000 mt in August, as the Malaysian government eased its ban on bauxite export. Greater demand in Yunnan bolstered imports from Jamaica to 91,000 mt last month. 

More traders have participated in bauxite import trade, SMM learned. Forward cargoes procured by State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) arrived at Chinese ports in August, totalling 243,000 mt.