[SMM analysis] in September 2019, China imported 6.7495 million tons of bauxite, down 21.86 percent from the previous month.

SMM, Oct. 27: according to the latest customs data, China imported a total of 6.7495 million tons of bauxite in September 2019, down 21.86 percent from the previous month and 2.08 percent from the previous month. From January to September, China imported 78.1325 million tons of bauxite, an increase of 26.79 percent over the same period last year. (based on 8-digit customs code 26060000)

Figure 1. Monthly imports of bauxite from China

Data sources: China Customs, SMM

According to different countries, Australia, Guinea and Indonesia imported the largest amount of bauxite to China in September, and the month-on-month decline in September was mainly reflected in the reduction in Guinea. In September, imports from Australia totaled 3.3329 million tons, up 2.93 percent from the previous month, up 7.15 percent from the same period last year; 1.7864 million tons from Guinea, down 50 percent from the previous month, or 25.30 percent from the same period last year; and 1.212 million tons from Indonesia, an increase of 6.93 percent over the previous month, an increase of 54.32 percent over the same period last year. Imports came from Brazil (287600 tons), Solomon (102200 tons), Jamaica (28300 tons) and Guyana (100 tons).

Figure 2. Proportion of bauxite imports in September

Data sources: China Customs, SMM

Among them, imports from Guinea decreased significantly compared with the previous month, with two main reasons. First, Guinea entered the rainy season in July, ore mining fell to curb exports, compared with the data of the past three years, Guinea bauxite imports began to decline in July and resumed growth in November; second, the strike of workers in local mining enterprises in Guinea has slowed down the efficiency of ore mining to some extent, but the impact is relatively limited, and the problem of strike has been resolved. Among them, imports from Guinea decreased significantly compared with the previous month, with two main reasons. First, Guinea entered the rainy season in July, ore mining fell to curb exports, compared with the data of the past three years, Guinea bauxite imports began to decline in July and resumed growth in November; second, the strike of workers in local mining enterprises in Guinea has slowed down the efficiency of ore mining to some extent, but the impact is relatively limited, and the problem of strike has been resolved.

Figure 3. Guinea's monthly import volume and month-on-month trend from 2017 to 2019

Data sources: China Customs, SMM

(SMM Li Hao 021-5166 6863)