According to data from the General Administration of Customs of People’s Republic of China (GACC), China imported a total of 20.32 million tonnes of bauxite in June 2026, down 11.76 per cent month-on-month but up 12.17 per cent year-on-year. In the first half of the year, cumulative imports reached 121.08 million tonnes, representing a 17.09 per cent year-on-year increase and underscoring high overall supply levels during H1.{alcircleadd}
According to Mysteel, Chinese alumina producers consumed approximately 83.32 million tonnes of imported bauxite between January and June 2026. Actual consumption trailed significantly behind total import volumes over the same period, confirming that the imported bauxite market remains in a state of oversupply.
By country of origin, the June bauxite imports were largely underpinned by the two mainstream suppliers, Guinea and Australia. Imports from Guinea stood at 15.84 million tonnes in June, down 19.23 per cent month-on-month, while cumulative imports for H1 reached 98.41 million tonnes, up 23.5 per cent year-on-year.
The June arrivals correspond to shipments made between April and May; elevated freight rates during May, coupled with a slowdown in overall overseas shipment momentum following the exceptionally high baseline recorded in prior months, resulted in a seasonal moderation.