Bauxite shipments from Guinea have been on a downward trend for several consecutive weeks; recent weekly shipment volumes have fallen by approximately 1 million wet tons compared to previous peaks. Elevated ocean freight rates—coupled with a price inversion where shipping costs exceed ore selling prices—are substantially dampening miners’ willingness to ship, particularly among small and medium-sized operators. Consequently, the supply side for raw materials is showing signs of a medium-term marginal tightening—independent of the usual seasonal impact of the rainy season. This development runs counter to the Guinean government’s original objective of diversifying its export base, and its long-term implications warrant close monitoring. On the domestic spot market front, trading activity in the Xinjiang region is experiencing short-term disruptions due to the approaching Eid al-Adha holiday; however, the overall bearish market sentiment remains unchanged.
（Chinese version）
（English version）
