For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In the USA, the Bauxite Price Index rose by 9.95% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting import demand tightness.
• The average Bauxite price for the quarter was approximately USD 70.00/MT, CFR Texas reporting and freight-influenced.
• Bauxite Spot Price showed volatility as Guinea disruptions constrained seaborne cargo availability and raised premiums.
• Bauxite Price Forecast signals modest near-term upside as restocking and smoother shipping support tighter market.
• Bauxite Production Cost Trend remains elevated in some origins as extraction and processing pressures persist.
• Bauxite Demand Outlook is muted as aluminum offtake from construction and automotive sectors remains subdued.
• U.S. port inventories and export demand helped shape the Bauxite Price Index, moderating price moves.
• Operational outages in Guinea and permit uncertainty tightened supplies, prompting buyers to pre-book shipments aggressively.
Why did the price of Bauxite change in September 2025 in North America?
• Seaborne supply disruptions from Guinea and operational suspensions reduced available cargoes, tightening physical market balances.
• Declining freight rates eased landed costs, while extraction and processing cost pressures persisted in certain source countries.
• Soft aluminum sector demand reduced offtake despite restocking and renewable project orders supporting selective incremental purchases.
APAC
• In China, the Bauxite Price Index fell by 6.41% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting import-driven inventory accumulation and weak downstream demand.
• The average Bauxite price for the quarter was approximately USD 73.00/MT CFR Qingdao, influenced by elevated port and refinery inventories.
• Tightening Guinea shipments supported the Bauxite Spot Price, lifting the Price Index amid constrained seaborne availability.
• Bauxite Demand Outlook remains mixed as alumina operating rates recover, yet construction weakness limits sustained feedstock consumption.
• Rising freight and alternative ore sourcing elevated the Bauxite Production Cost Trend, compressing refinery margins and procurement flexibility.
• Short-term Bauxite Price Forecast shows potential upside from supply disruptions, tempered by large port inventories and muted demand.
• Exporter behaviour and pre-winter stockpiling supported the Bauxite Price Index, accelerating procurement and shortening lead times.
• Operational disruptions at select Guinea mines tightened cargo availability, pushing premiums and strengthening the Bauxite Spot Price momentum.
Why did the price of Bauxite change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Elevated Chinese port and refinery inventories pressured prices despite intermittent Guinea shipment disruptions, reducing procurement urgency.
• Weakened aluminum production and sluggish construction demand reduced refinery feedstock needs, suppressing bauxite price recovery momentum.
• Higher freight costs and alternative ore sourcing raised procurement costs, offsetting softness and supporting price upticks.
Europe
• In Germany, the Bauxite Price Index fell by 15.85% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting subdued demand and supply.
• The average Bauxite price for the quarter was approximately USD 69.00/MT on CFR Hamburg terms.
• Tightening in supply pushed the Bauxite Spot Price upward, but Q3 Price Index remained negative overall.
• Midterm Bauxite Price Forecast anticipates modest recovery driven by infrastructure projects and restocking into Q4.
• Rising freight and regulatory compliance increased the Bauxite Production Cost Trend, constraining suppliers' margin and flexibility.
• European Bauxite Demand Outlook shows mixed signals as construction weakness offsets aluminium restocking and infrastructure-led gains.
• Port inventories and export appetite moderated the Bauxite Price Index volatility, leaving buyers reluctant to rebuild stocks.
• Operational disruptions in Guinea tightened seaborne supply, supporting higher bids while Australian volumes alleviated shortages.
Why did the price of Bauxite change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Reduced German construction demand and weaker aluminium orders pressured Q3 import requirements, lowering price momentum.
• Global supply disruptions in West Africa reduced available cargoes, prompting competitive purchasing in import markets.
• Stable production costs but higher freight and compliance expenses raised landed costs, influencing pricing discipline.
MEA
• In Guinea, the Bauxite Price Index fell by 8.33% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting regulatory and demand weakness.
• The average Bauxite price for the quarter was approximately USD 62.33/MT, reported by exporters and traders.
• Guinea export volumes remained resilient; Bauxite Spot Price reacted to tightened availability and buyer cover.
• Rising logistics and port congestion influenced the Bauxite Production Cost Trend, pressuring breakevens for producers.
• Bauxite Demand Outlook remains mixed with Chinese restocking offset by weaker downstream alumina refinery margins.
• Short term Bauxite Price Forecast points to firmer bids as precommissioning stockpiling tightens prompt availability.
• High inventories in China weighed on the Bauxite Price Index, while export demand surged for secured tonnage.
• Operational stoppages and licence disputes reduced supply visibility, supporting Bauxite Spot Price strength for cargoes.
Why did the price of Bauxite change in September 2025 in MEA?
• Regulatory actions and licence cancellations disrupted supply immediately, reducing available Guinean export tonnage to buyers.
• Port congestion and logistics delays constrained shipments, elevating freight and tightening short-term physical availability globally.
• Demand shifts in China and India created buying for cargoes, increasing competition and lifting bids.
South America
• In Brazil, the Bauxite Price Index fell by 0.87% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting stronger supply and softer export demand.
• The average Bauxite price for the quarter was approximately USD 76.33/MT, reflecting FOB Santos quarterly weighting and reported export flows.
• Elevated inventories and logistical delays pressured the Bauxite Spot Price, reducing immediate arbitrage opportunities for exporters.
• The Bauxite Price Forecast shows muted near-term upside as ample supply and subdued global demand persist.
• Energy and freight volatility influenced the Bauxite Production Cost Trend, marginally supporting seller price expectations period.
• Chinese and Indian refinery restarts will shape the Bauxite Demand Outlook and near-term import requirements significantly.
• Port congestion intermittently tightened supply chains, amplifying regional premiums visible in the Bauxite Price Index movements.
• Major producer operating rates remained near capacity, supporting contractual shipments despite weaker spot market transactional volumes.
Why did the price of Bauxite change in September 2025 in South America?
• Improved mine output and stable inventories increased available supply, reducing short-term price pressure in September.
• Logistical delays at inland terminals and currency volatility affected export competitiveness and delivered price adjustments.
• Weaker demand from key importers, Chinese refinery restarts delayed, tempered buying and pressured spot pricing.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• Bauxite Price Index for North America declined about 3 % in Q2 2025 compared to Q1 2025, reflecting a mild market softening across the region.
• Bauxite Production Cost Trend remained relatively stable, though high logistics expenses under CFR terms and constraints in key producing countries slightly pressured landed cost structures.
• Bauxite Demand Outlook showed resilience: aluminum production maintained steady; automotive and construction sectors recorded moderate growth, supporting steady bauxite consumption despite weaker momentum toward recycled aluminum.
• Bauxite Price Forecast indicates limited upside near term as inventories stayed elevated and import volumes remained ample; however, a potential rebound may occur later in 2025 if demand strengthens or supply disruptions materialize.
• Stock levels by the end of the quarter remained elevated at U.S. ports and alumina refineries, pressuring Bauxite Price Index downward amid sufficient import flows from Jamaica, Turkey, and Brazil.
• In Q2, demand was resilient enough to prevent sharper declines: automotive sales edged up modestly and construction activity expanded, but these were not strong enough to offset supply-side softness.
Why did the Bauxite price change in July 2025 in North America?
According to the latest July 2025 North America Bauxite Price Index, prices decreased slightly reflecting ongoing oversupply and stable import volumes keeping downward pressure on the index
Europe
• The Bauxite Price Index in Europe fell by approximately 14.5 % quarter on quarter, reflecting abundant import availability and weak spot market demand compared to Q1 2025
• Within the quarter, Bauxite Production Cost Trend remained under pressure from elevated energy prices and carbon compliance costs, particularly under EU emissions regulations, which increased refining and logistics cost burdens
• In terms of Bauxite Demand Outlook, downstream sectors, especially aluminium production, construction and automotive were notably sluggish. Germany’s slowing construction and automotive segments reduced demand, reinforcing weak buyer activity in the spot market
• Given the large inventories across European ports and major suppliers, plus weak downstream consumption, the Bauxite Price Forecast anticipates continued softness in Europe into the medium term unless depletion of inventories or a demand pick up materializes
• By the end of the quarter, extensive inventories—abundant imports from West Africa and Australia—kept supply plentiful and suppressed spot buying interest, leaving prices under sustained downward pressure
Why did the Bauxite price change in July 2025 in Europe?
According to data as of July, the price change in Europe was a marginal decrease—the Bauxite Price Index was down as persistent global oversupply, elevated inventories, and subdued industrial demand continued to limit upward pricing momentum
APAC
• The Bauxite Price Index in APAC weakened by about 6.3% in Q2 2025 compared to Q1, reflecting the overall softening market conditions.
• Bauxite Production Cost Trend softened modestly over the quarter as energy and logistics costs eased slightly, though miners still saw margins eroded by lower price realizations.
• Bauxite Demand Outlook remained weak across major importers such as China and South Korea, where sluggish aluminum and construction-sector activity and inventory drawdowns curtailed consumption.
• Supply stayed steady as Australia’s shipments rose significantly (including Metro Mining’s ~26% y o y uplift), highlighting that despite robust export volumes, Bauxite Price pressure persisted due to subdued downstream demand under spot-market reluctance.
• Export volumes benefited from increased output and streamlined logistics, but the Bauxite Price Forecast remains subdued for Q3 unless demand revives, or inventories tighten further.
• By the end of the quarter, long term contracts dominated trade over spot purchases, reinforcing the cooling Bauxite Price trend for the region.
Why did the Bauxite price change in July 2025 Asia?
Price movement in early July was marginal: Northeast Asia saw a small uptick, while India showed a slight decline, and overall, the Bauxite Price Index remained largely stable, reflecting steady imported price levels and no major shock events.
MEA
• Bauxite Price Index in Q2 2025 fell by approximately 20% compared with Q1 2025 across the MEA region.
• Bauxite Production Cost Trend showed slight easing costs for alumina feedstock while long term contract pricing remained stable and spot transaction volumes were subdued.
• Bauxite Demand Outlook was weak throughout the quarter: major importers such as China and India reduced offtake due to slowing aluminum production, construction and automotive sector slowdown, and increasing preference for recycled aluminum
• Early in the quarter, demand weakness was evident as long term contracts dominated over spot purchases, suppressing Price Index levels. By mid quarter, supply concerns (license revocations of small Guinean mines and EGA export stockpiles) emerged but failed to meaningfully alter the downward trajectory.
• By the end of the quarter, manufacturing and supply constraints in Guinea (export license cancellations and stockpiling by Emirates Global Aluminium) had limited impact on volumes, and exports continued resilient—keeping pressure on downward pricing
• Despite tightening in some parts of supply, the combination of consistent export flow and muted downstream demand maintained the decline in the Bauxite Price Index, reinforcing the soft fundamentals in the region.
Why did the Bauxite price change in July 2025 MEA?
Available July data indicates that imported bauxite prices remained largely steady. As a result, the Bauxite Price Index in the MEA region in July 2025 experienced stability or a slight decrease, reflecting no significant upward adjustment but rather persistent subdued market activity and soft contract flows.
South America
• Bauxite Price Index in South America rose by 4.5% quarter on quarter compared to Q1 2025, driven largely by strength in Brazilian exports and tightening supply globally.
• Bauxite Production Cost Trend in the region remained steady dominated by consistent coke and energy costs but with logistical expenses stable given smooth port operations and no major disruptions in Brazil.
• Bauxite Demand Outlook stayed firm across major international markets such as Canada, China, and Europe, where regulatory issues in Guinea prompted many buyers to shift sourcing toward Brazilian bauxite, boosting procurement volumes in Q2 2025.
• Bauxite Price, while rising overall in the quarter, showed some mid quarter weakness as June saw a slight easing: improved Brazilian mine output and moderated demand from overseas buyers pushed prices back down modestly in that period, though still above Q1 levels.
• Bauxite Price Forecast for the medium term remains cautiously optimistic: while oversupply may persist in the short term, structural demand from green energy infrastructure and EV related aluminum production in emerging economies is expected to firm up prices later in 2025.
• By the end of the quarter, regional supply remained stable with Brazilian operations maintaining output; inventories were manageable but lacked buffer, indicating price sensitivity to any supply shocks.
Why did the Bauxite price change in July 2025 in South America?
As of early July, the South America Bauxite Price Index declined slightly reflecting continued global oversupply and elevated inventory levels at alumina refineries and port terminals worldwide that began accumulating in June
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
• The Bauxite Price Index in the US experienced a falling price trend during the Q1 of 2025 owing to sustained oversupply and weak demand from the end-use sector.
• Bauxite Spot Price hovered at around USD 65/MT CFR Texas by the end of the quarter, showcasing a 2.5% Q-o-Q decline, signaling continuous bearish market sentiment.
• The region grappled with excessive inventory, driven by increased imports and insufficient demand from construction and manufacturing sectors.
• Market competitiveness intensified as sellers were compelled to reduce prices to move stock, further dragging down the pricing trend.
• The USA witnessed the sharpest Price Index drop, highlighting the structural imbalance in supply and demand fundamentals.
• Bauxite Production Cost Trend remained flat, but profitability was eroded by low price realizations and market saturation.
• Why did the price of Bauxite change in the US in April 2025? Prices were falling, continuing Q1's downward momentum due to persistent oversupply and subdued industrial demand.
• The Bauxite Demand Outlook remains uncertain in North America unless new stimulus measures or infrastructure spending revitalizes consumption.
• The Bauxite Price Forecast suggests continued price weakness in early Q2 2025 unless inventory levels are rationalized or demand rebounds meaningfully.
Europe
• The Bauxite Price Index in Europe recorded a significant upward trend in Q1 2025 due to regional supply constraints and regulatory cost pressures.
• Bauxite Spot Price ended the quarter at USD 120/MT CFR Hamburg, reflecting a 42% QoQ increase, driven by operational bottlenecks and high freight rates.
• Disruptions in mining operations, extended shipping lead times, and port congestion restricted Bauxite availability in the European market.
• Rising operational costs, including those stemming from the EU Emissions Trading System, exerted upward pressure on production and delivery costs.
• Germany, the region’s key price indicator, faced consistent Price Index increases despite plant-level disruptions, signaling resilient demand amid constrained supply.
• Bauxite Production Cost Trend increased considerably due to carbon compliance and logistical inefficiencies.
• Why did the price of Bauxite change in Europe in April 2025? Prices were high, extending Q1's upward trend as supply-side pressures and environmental levies persisted.
• The Bauxite Demand Outlook in Europe is stable, particularly in metallurgical and refractory applications, though vulnerable to ongoing logistical challenges.
• The Bauxite Price Forecast indicates a likelihood of continued high prices in Q2 2025 if shipping constraints and compliance costs remain unresolved.
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
• The Bauxite Price Index in the APAC region climbed steadily during Q1 2025, ending the quarter on a bullish note due to surging demand and tight supply.
• Bauxite Spot Price in China reached USD 100/MT CFR Qingdao, showing an 18% QoQ increase, driven by strong consumption and import demand.
• The region's demand was buoyed by expansion in sectors such as automotive, construction, solar power, and electric vehicles.
• China ramped up Bauxite imports to fuel its renewable energy transition and EV production, strengthening the region’s pricing momentum.
• Low inventory levels, curtailed domestic output, and high freight costs exacerbated supply constraints, supporting a positive price trend.
• Bauxite Production Cost Trend in APAC was moderately impacted by rising logistics and energy costs but offset by high market prices.
• Why did the price change in Asia in April 2025? Prices were high, driven by continued strong downstream demand and restricted regional supply availability.
• The Bauxite Demand Outlook in APAC remains robust, particularly in China, supported by sustained investments in green energy and infrastructure.
• The Bauxite Price Forecast anticipates further upward pressure in Q2 2025 unless mining output improves or downstream consumption stabilizes.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
The North American Bauxite market experienced a significant upward trend in Q4 2024, driven by a combination of global and regional factors influencing both supply and demand dynamics. The quarter concluded with Bauxite CFR Texas in the USA priced at USD 65/MT, representing a 5% increase compared to the previous quarter and underscoring the bullish sentiment in the market.
Supply constraints were a major factor, stemming from global disruptions such as import restrictions, port congestions, and broader inefficiencies in supply chain operations. These constraints limited the availability of Bauxite in the region, creating upward pressure on prices. At the same time, the demand for Bauxite in North America increased, particularly from industries tied to aluminum production, solidifying the market's positive momentum.
The USA demonstrated the most significant price changes, with an increase recorded indicating a steady upward trend. Despite disruptions in the supply chain, the pricing environment remained optimistic throughout the quarter, bolstered by rising domestic demand and constrained imports.
Europe
In Q4 2024, the European Bauxite market experienced a significant upward trend in pricing, driven by a combination of supply constraints and rising operational costs. The quarter ended with Bauxite CFR Hamburg in Germany priced at USD 69/MT, reflecting a 7% increase from the fourth quarter compared to previous quarter, underscoring sustained price growth and a bullish market sentiment.
Key drivers of this price escalation included major supply challenges such as operational disruptions, longer shipping routes, equipment shortages, and port congestion, which collectively limited the availability of Bauxite in the region. These supply-side issues were further aggravated by rising freight costs, amplifying pressures on pricing.
Additionally, the implementation of environmental regulations like the EU Emissions Trading System imposed additional operational costs on producers, further contributing to the upward trajectory in prices. Additionally, the German market, a key indicator for the region, recorded the most significant price changes, maintaining consistent increases throughout the quarter, despite plant-level disruptions. The positive pricing environment in Q4 2024 highlights the interplay of constrained supply dynamics, environmental compliance costs, and global market pressures.
APAC
The Bauxite market in the APAC region experienced a strong upward trend in Q4 2024, marked by significant price fluctuations and a bullish pricing environment. The quarter concluded with Bauxite CFR Qingdao in China priced at USD 88/MT, reflecting the region's positive sentiment driven by imbalanced supply-demand dynamics.
Several factors contributed to this price increase. Rising demand from key sectors such as automotive, construction, solar power, and electric vehicles played a pivotal role in supporting the upward trajectory. China's focus on increasing Bauxite imports to meet its growing consumption in the renewable energy and EV industries further bolstered the market. However, supply-side constraints, including low inventory levels and decreased manufacturing output rates, added pressure to the market, exacerbating the price rise.
Global shipping disruptions, supply chain uncertainties, and escalating freight costs also impacted market dynamics, limiting supply availability and contributing to the positive pricing trend. Despite these challenges, the APAC Bauxite market maintained steady demand momentum, reflecting bullish market sentiment amid tight supply conditions and robust downstream demand.
