Bauxite Price Trend and Forecast
Get the latest insights on price movement and trend analysis of Bauxite in different regions across the world (Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa).
Bauxite Price Trend for the Q2 of 2024
Asia
China’s bauxite imports surged consistently throughout the second quarter of 2024 due to the growing demand from primary metal production as several smelters, particularly from Yunnan, resumed their operations given the increased generation of hydropower supported by sufficient rainfall. This could also be derived from the National Bureau of Statistics data, which reports that the primary aluminium production in May soared to approximately 3.65 million tonnes.
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Other sectors fueling the demand for the commodity were automotive, aerospace, construction, packaging, and consumer products. Also, the growing dependence of Chinese aluminium production lines on overseas imports as the domestic supply fails to suffice with the demand further supported an uptrend in the prices of bauxite. However, the growing dependence of the world on Guinea and Australian produce amid the energy transitioning phase has severed the supply chains since the advent of this year and has thus raised the bar for bauxite prices even further.
Europe
After experiencing a slow start in the initial phase of the second quarter, the bauxite market registered gradual gains as the quarter progressed towards its end. As the major bauxite-producing nations such as Guinea and Australia increased their mining outputs, the constraints over the supply chains eased out. Additionally, the industrial production of Europe increased by almost 0.5% m-o-m, and the inflationary pressure stood stagnant at around 2.4%, indicating a gradual recovery of the overall downstream markets and expansion in the demand for bauxite. Further, the stricter environmental sanctions of European countries, adoption of greener practices, and rise in demand for aluminium amid energy transition practices have further favored the positive movement of bauxite prices during Q2 of 2024.
North America
The North American market recorded a bearish run during the first quarter of 2024, and the constricted supply of bauxite made the recovery of prices in the second quarter much more difficult. Similar to the European countries, in the early phase, the market struggled with weak downstream demand, but gradually, the market rebounded under the influence of limited exports from Guinea and limited exports from Australia.
The noticeable incline in the cost of raw materials along with energy production further posed no choice for the traders but to increase their quotations for bauxite. On the other hand, the downstream industries, such as automotive and manufacturing, presented only moderate demand for the commodity, limiting the growth potential of the market.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, the price trend of Bauxite is estimated to struggle with the limited supply from major producers, issues with the traditional trading routes, and slow demand from the downstream industries in the adjacent quarters.
Bauxite Price Trend for the Q1 of 2024
Asia
The Chinese bauxite market experienced a significant incline in the first quarter of 2024. This rise was initially prompted by an explosion at an oil terminal in Conakry, Guinea, a major bauxite supplier to China's bauxite refineries. China's growing dependence on Guinean bauxite, which accounted for 70% of its total bauxite imports in 2023, further intensified the disruption of the supply from Guinea. Additionally, tight supply conditions in the Chinese aluminium raw materials market from other players further worsened the situation.
The traders and domestic automotive and construction sectors also seemed to struggle with the loss of importing volumes, and due to the widespread usage of bauxite in these industries, the growth projection of these sectors was further hampered. In view of the scarcity of the materials, the overseas exporters quoted significantly higher prices of bauxite in the first quarter of 2024, leading to a shoot-up in its price trend.
Europe
Base metals such as bauxite prices experienced a volatile start in the new year due to global economic uncertainties, with initial optimism fueled by prospects of US Federal Reserve rate cuts and monetary policy changes in China affecting its exporting policies. However, mixed signals from the downstream industries and delayed rate cuts led to heightened price volatility in the end months of the quarter.
Additionally, concerns over the rising number of EU sanctions on Russian aluminium further raised the prices of bauxite by the end of the quarter. Additionally, an explosion in Guinea triggered a rally in aluminium, alumina, and bauxite prices, disrupting the global supply of the commodity and triggering the battle between major economies. However, despite fluctuations, the bauxite market faces a dim outlook amid a ban on Russian aluminium exports to the EU, which could further oscillate the prices and supply dynamics.
North America
In the first quarter of 2024, the bauxite prices rose due to heightened demand from downstream Aluminium industries, driven by infrastructure development projects in North America. Q1 of 2024 saw government expenditure in the mining projects rise to boost the bauxite production rates, reduce dependence on overseas imports, and stabilize the bauxite price trend in domestic markets. However, the explosion at the Guinea oil terminal constricted the functioning of global supply chains, whose effect was evident in the fast-paced northward moving trajectory of bauxite prices in North America.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, the price trend of Bauxite is estimated to incline further upwards in the next quarters as the global supply crunch and rise in industrial growth of the automotive sector will lead to the disruption of supply-demand equilibrium in global markets.
Bauxite Price Trend for the October - December of 2023
Product | Category | Region | Price | Time Period |
Bauxite | Chemicals | USA | USD 1400/MT | Dec'2023 |
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Asia
Bauxite prices experienced a major upsurge in the Asian region during the final quarter of the year 2023. At first, the high downstream aluminum demands from the various industries were driving the bauxite price curve uphill. But later, a severe supply shortage became the primary driver for bauxite price trend.
The rise in transportation charges as ocean freight got expensive through the Panama Canal pushed the bauxite prices up initially. However, a major fuel depot explosion in Guinea, the world’s third largest bauxite producer, on December 18th sent the global bauxite market into a frenzy.
Guinea had become China’s biggest bauxite exporter after the Indonesian export ban in June. So, the explosion incident shocked the Asian bauxite market as the ore prices went up by around 7% within the week of the explosion, and a substantial dip in the aluminum inventories in the country was noticed during the same time. Overall, rising price trend were observed for bauxite during Q4’23.
Europe
The bauxite price hikes in Asia also impacted the European market, as the bauxite prices in Europe showed considerable inclination during the final quarter of the year 2023. The industrial demands were relatively lower since the market was still stabilizing. Overall, general price trend remained afloat throughout the said period.
North America
The North American bauxite market was also influenced by the price inclines in the global market. The American market, too, observed a supply curtailment for the said time period; however, the dull demands did balance out the upward push a little. Overall, market sentiments were largely positive for the US bauxite market.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, the Bauxite market analysis suggests positive projections for the coming months as well. The automobile industries are expected to pose even higher demands for aluminum in the coming year, so the prices are expected to keep on the positive trail.
Bauxite Price Trend for the July - September of 2023
Asia
In the Asia Pacific, the bauxite regional prices witnessed a slow and gradual leap with the help of the growing automotive sector. The sales of bauxite were positively influenced by the increasing demand for electric vehicles and improvement in the supply chains with the inauguration of several mining projects.
The rates of procurement were inclined not only in the domestic region but also from the overseas players. In addition to the downstream automotive sector, the energy production and refineries industries also contributed significantly to keeping the bauxite price trend under the green light.
Europe
The European countries struggled with the effective functioning of their supply chains, which resulted in the depletion in the level of inventories of bauxite. Amid the poor performance of the supply chains, the demand for bauxite and its related commodities increased severalfold. The most significant contributor to this demand for bauxite was the electric vehicle sector. In view of this, the government looked forward to supporting its bauxite storehouses with the imports from Russia. Thus, with limited availability of raw materials, restricted movement of supply chains, and exponentially inclining demand, the bauxite price trend followed a bullish trend.
North America
The growth of renewable sources of energy, such as solar panels and electric vehicles, resulted in the high demand for bauxite during the initial phase of the third quarter of 2023. However, North America’s mining sector showcased only feeble movements, and along with the ban on Indonesian exports, the inventories of bauxite dried up. As the quarter progressed, the demand from the downstream industries began to slow down, and with high economic uncertainties, the bauxite price trend struggled to maintain their momentum.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, the price trend of Bauxite is estimated to follow an oscillating route as the ineffective functioning of the supply chains and uncertainties in the downstream industries sectors are supposed to dictate the bauxite prices.
Bauxite Price Trend for the First Half of 2023
Asia
The bauxite market in the first and second quarters of 2023 fluctuated in the Asia-Pacific region as trading activities slumped due to the onset of the Chinese New Year holiday season. The slow movement of the market led to the rise in the level of inventories and accumulation of the product in the market. The manufacturers also struggled with the decrease in demand from the associated aluminum industries and the electronics market. A slight incline in the later months was seen as the high-priced imports from international markets flooded the region.
Europe
A mixed price trend for bauxite was observed in the first two quarters of 2023. The region was adversely affected by the volatility in the supply chains and inconsistent purchasing of consumers. Sanctions on the supply of metal from Russia and the reduction in domestic production rates negatively impacted the bauxite prices. However, towards the end of the first quarter and in the second quarter, the price trend inclined as it gained support from overseas buyers and an increased number of inquiries from traders and refiners.
North America
In North America, the bauxite prices declined in the initial months of the first quarter of 2023 as the market had sufficient availability of products. But in the subsequent months of the first and throughout the second quarter, the market gained momentum as soon the level of inventories depleted, and the levels of extraction declined.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, the price trend of Bauxite is estimated to showcase a volatile trend. The demand from end-user industries and the level of inventories in the market will guide the bauxite market in the upcoming quarter.
Procurement Resource provides latest prices of Bauxite. Each price database is tied to a user-friendly graphing tool dating back to 2014, which provides a range of functionalities: configuration of price series over user defined time period; comparison of product movements across countries; customisation of price currencies and unit; extraction of price data as excel files to be used offline.
Bauxite is a sedimentary rock composed primarily of aluminum oxide minerals, like gibbsite, boehmite, and diaspore, along with various impurities. It is the primary source of aluminum metal and extensively mined worldwide. Through the Bayer process, bauxite is refined to extract alumina, which is then smelted to produce aluminum.
This lightweight and corrosion-resistant metal finds numerous applications in industries such as aerospace, transportation, construction, and packaging. Bauxite is also used to manufacture refractories, abrasives, and chemicals. Despite its industrial significance, bauxite mining and processing can have environmental challenges, requiring sustainable practices to mitigate impacts.
Report Features | Details |
Product Name | Bauxite |
Chemical Formula | Al2O3.2H2O |
CAS Number | 1318-16-7 |
Molecular weight | 119.977 g/mol |
Industrial Uses | Aluminium production, Refining, Refractories, Cement, Abrasives |
HS Code | 26060020 |
Supplier Database | Alcoa Corporation, Aluminium Corporation of China Limited, Norsk Hydro ASA, NALCO India, Hindalco Industries Ltd, Emirates Global Aluminium PJSC |
Region/Countries Covered | Asia Pacific: China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Iran, Thailand, South Korea, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Nepal, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, UAE, Israel, Hongkong, Singapore, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Australia, and New Zealand Europe: Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, Turkey, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Ireland Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Romania, Finland, Czech Republic, Portugal and Greece North America: United States and Canada Latin America: Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Columbia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru Africa: South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco |
Currency | US$ (Data can also be provided in local currency) |
Supplier Database Availability | Yes |
Customization Scope | The report can be customized as per the requirements of the customer |
Post-Sale Analyst Support | 360-degree analyst support after report delivery |
Note: Our supplier search experts can assist your procurement teams in compiling and validating a list of suppliers indicating they have products, services, and capabilities that meet your company's needs.
The ore is first washed and then crushed into smaller parts. These particles are then mixed with used liquor to create a slurry that is simple to pump. Desilication, which takes the silica out of the content, follows the procedure. After that, the mineral mixture is added to a tank containing caustic soda, which will react with the mixture to produce sodium aluminate and other materials.
Alumina would then precipitate on the solution as the final product is allowed to age. The alumina is next cleaned, refined, and calcined to remove any remaining impurities before being sent for smelting to produce aluminum metal.
The displayed pricing data is derived through weighted average purchase price, including contract and spot transactions at the specified locations unless otherwise stated. The information provided comes from the compilation and processing of commercial data officially reported for each nation (i.e. government agencies, external trade bodies, and industry publications).
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