China’s aluminum sector demonstrated significant import appetite in October, with bauxite shipments leading the expansion. The figures point to sustained strength in the nation’s aluminum supply chain and downstream fabrication activity.

The General Administration of Customs (GAC) reported that China imported 13.77 million metric tons of bauxite (aluminum ore and concentrate) during October 2024. This represents a substantial year-on-year increase of 12.5%, underlining the continued heavy reliance on overseas sources for this critical alumina feedstock. The cumulative volume for the first ten months of 2024 reached an impressive 170.96 million metric tons, surging 30.1% compared to the same period last year. This robust inflow is essential for feeding China’s vast alumina refining capacity.

Concurrently, imports of unwrought aluminum and aluminum products (encompassing primary metal, alloys, and semi-finished goods like plates, rods, and tubes) also saw notable growth. October imports totaled 350,000 metric tons, marking a 10.4% increase year-on-year. The January to October cumulative imports stood at 3.36 million metric tons, up 6.1%. This consistent inflow of primary and semi-fabricated metal suggests persistent demand from domestic downstream processors and fabricators, potentially including sectors reliant on further machining of imported billets or slabs.

On the export front, oxidized aluminum (alumina) shipments remained significant. October exports reached 180,000 metric tons, a 3.2% rise compared to October 2023. More strikingly, the cumulative export volume for the first ten months hit 2.17 million metric tons, representing a substantial 54.7% year-on-year surge. This sustained high level of alumina exports indicates China remains a key supplier to global smelters, even as its own primary metal imports climb.

Market Implications:

The double-digit growth in bauxite imports confirms the uninterrupted flow of raw materials necessary for China’s primary aluminum production. The concurrent rise in imports of unwrought aluminum and semi-finished products, alongside strong domestic production levels, points to resilient industrial consumption within China. This demand likely stems from sectors such as automotive, construction, packaging, and electrical applications, driving the need for further processing, including precision machining of components from aluminum plate, rod and tube stock.

The significant year-to-date jump in alumina exports further highlights China’s integrated position within the global aluminum supply chain. Exporting processed products while importing substantial volumes of both raw material (bauxite) and primary/ semi-finished metal to meet domestic fabrication needs.

These combined import and export trends paint a picture of a dynamic and complex Chinese aluminum market characterized by strong underlying demand across multiple segments of the value chain. Market watchers note that the sustained import levels for key materials like bauxite and unwrought aluminum provide crucial support for downstream processing activities nationwide.