SHANGHAI, Dec. 23 (SMM) -- According to China Customs, China’s bauxite imports were 4.59 million mt during November, hitting a new high and up 78.42% YoY. YTD bauxite imports through November were 40.32 million mt, up 50.09% YoY.

SMM statistics show that Indonesia and Australia remained as the two main origins of imported bauxite in November, with imports from Indonesia at 4.08 million mt, up 102.52% YoY. Total imports from Indonesia during the first eleven months of 2011 have grown to 32.07 million mt. Imports from Australia were 516,100 mt during November, up 11.77% YoY. The sources of China’s imported bauxite in November also include India and Guyana.  

SMM believes the rising bauxite imports in November were related to the restocking by alumina producers at year’s end. Meanwhile, the growing imports from Indonesia temporarily eased domestic concerns that the Indonesian government will change export policies for bauxite. SMM predicts China’s bauxite imports from Indonesia will remain high in the short term due to robust demand from domestic alumina producers using imported bauxite as a raw material.