Which Country Imports the Most Aluminium Bars in the World?

Basic Precious Metals May 28, 2018

Blog Blog / Basic Metals / Basic Precious Metals

Author: Anna Sergeeva

PositionMarket Analyst

Global aluminium bar imports stood at 6.9M tonnes in 2016, increasing by 2% against the previous year figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2007 to 2016; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010, when import increased by 10% against the previous year level. Global aluminium bar import peaked in 2016, and are expected to retain its growth in the near future.

In value terms, aluminium bar imports amounted to $13B in 2016. In general, aluminium bar imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, global aluminium bar imports reached its maximum level of $14B in 2008; however, from 2009 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

Top Aluminium Bar Importing Countries in the World

1. Germany (1,703.5 million USD)

2. Viet Nam (1,094.3 million USD)

3. France (916.5 million USD)

4. USA (822.2 million USD)

5. United Kingdom (531.5 million USD)

6. China (378.6 million USD)

7. Austria (335.0 million USD)

8. Italy (227.6 million USD)

9. Spain (186.7 million USD)

10. Romania (153.3 million USD)

11. Bahrain (35.1 million USD)

12. Mozambique (4.4 million USD)

Aluminium Bar Imports By Country

In 2016, China (1.2M tonnes), distantly followed by Mozambique (536K tonnes), Bahrain (510K tonnes), and Germany (490K tonnes) represented the main importers of aluminium bar, together comprising 40% of total imports. The following importers - Spain (242K tonnes), France (230K tonnes), the U.S. (230K tonnes), Italy (202K tonnes), Austria (195K tonnes), the UK (169K tonnes), Viet Nam (135K tonnes), and Romania (130K tonnes) together made up 22% of total imports.

China experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. At the same time, Viet Nam (+28.6%), Bahrain (+3.4%), Romania (+3.0%), Mozambique (+2.5%), Germany (+1.7%), and the UK (+1.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Viet Nam emerged as the fastest growing importer/exporter in the world, with a CAGR of +28.6% from 2007-2016. Austria, Spain, and the U.S. experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, France (-1.0%), and Italy (-3.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Mozambique (-1.6%), Viet Nam (-1.8%), and Bahrain (-1.9%) decreased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest aluminium bar markets worldwide were Germany ($1.7B), Viet Nam ($1.1B) and France ($917M), with a combined 28% share of global imports.

Viet Nam (+51.9% per year) had the highest growth rate of aluminium bar imports, among the main importing countries, over the last 9 year period, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Aluminium Bar Import Prices By Country

In 2016, the average import price for aluminium bar amounted to $1,928 per tonne, declining by -5.2% against the previous year. In general, aluminium bar import price continues to indicate a mild downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2011, when import increased by 15% against the previous year level. Global aluminium bar import peaked of $2,321 per tonne in 2008; however, from 2009 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

There were significant differences in the average import prices amongst major importing countries. In 2016, the country with the highest import prices was Viet Nam ($8,117 per tonne), while Mozambique ($8 per tonne) was among the lowest.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of aluminium bar import prices was attained by Viet Nam (+18.2% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Do you want to know more about global aluminium bar market? Get the latest trends and insight from our report. It includes a wide range of statistics on