China’s bauxite imports soared to 21.78 million tonnes in March 2026, marking a sharp 32.8% year-on-year increase, according to the latest customs data. The strong inflow pushed first-quarter bauxite arrivals to 57.97 million tonnes, up 23.6% from the same period last year,Meanwhile, China’s alumina exports dropped significantly to 210,000 tonnes in March, down 29.4% compared to March 2025. Cumulative exports for January March stood at 540,000 tonnes, a 22.5% year-on-year decline. The fall reflects easing overseas demand and a more balanced domestic alumina market following capacity expansions earlier in the year.
In the unwrought aluminium and aluminium products segment, imports reached 360,000 tonnes in March, up 6.9% year-on-year, while first quarter imports edged 1.6% higher to 960,000 tonnes. Exports of unwrought aluminium and aluminium products totalled 490,000 tonnes in March, a 4.1% year-on-year contraction, though quarterly shipments still recorded a 6.5% increase to 1.46 million tonnes. The divergence in export trends softening monthly figures against robust quarterly growth, suggests potential near-term volatility in overseas end use demand.
The sharp rise in bauxite imports aligns with elevated domestic alumina refining rates, as smelters maintain high operating capacity to meet steady downstream consumption. For market participants in the flat rolled and extruded aluminium sector, including producers of plate, bar, tube, and machined components, the data highlights a supply chain that remains heavily import dependent for raw material inputs while finished product exports face mixed demand signals.
As global aluminium trade flows adjust to shifting energy costs and trade policies, China’s bauxite appetite is expected to stay robust, with the full-year import volume likely to set a new record. Stakeholders across the aluminium fabrication and machining industries will continue monitoring inventory levels and policy cues from key bauxite suppliers such as Guinea and Australia.
Post time: Apr-20-2026