China: Aluminium Market Overview 2021

Aluminium Market Size in China

For the third year in a row, the Chinese aluminium market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by X% to $X in 2019. In general, consumption recorded a buoyant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010 when the market value increased by X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level in 2019 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Aluminium Production in China

In value terms, aluminium production expanded markedly to $X in 2019 estimated in export prices. Over the period under review, production recorded a strong increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010 when the production volume increased by X% y-o-y. Aluminium production peaked in 2019 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Aluminium Exports

Exports from China

In 2019, shipments abroad of aluminium increased by X% to X tonnes, rising for the third consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 when exports increased by X% year-to-year. Exports peaked at X tonnes in 2008; however, from 2009 to 2019, exports failed to regain the momentum.

In value terms, aluminium exports totaled $X in 2019. Over the period under review, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2008; however, from 2009 to 2019, exports failed to regain the momentum.

Exports by Country

Japan (X tonnes) was the main destination for aluminium exports from China, accounting for a X% share of total exports. Moreover, aluminium exports to Japan exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Hong Kong SAR (X tonnes), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Viet Nam (X tonnes), with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2019, the average annual growth rate of volume to Japan amounted to +X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Hong Kong SAR (-X% per year) and Viet Nam (+X% per year).

In value terms, Japan ($X) remains the key foreign market for aluminium exports from China, comprising X% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Hong Kong SAR ($X), with a X% share of total exports. It was followed by Viet Nam, with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2019, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Japan totaled +X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Hong Kong SAR (-X% per year) and Viet Nam (+X% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2019, the average aluminium export price amounted to $X per tonne, remaining constant against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a mild curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 when the average export price increased by X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, average export prices reached the maximum at $X per tonne in 2008; however, from 2009 to 2019, export prices failed to regain the momentum.

Average prices varied noticeably for the major external markets. In 2019, the highest prices were recorded for prices to Hong Kong SAR ($X per tonne) and Viet Nam ($X per tonne), while the average price for exports to Japan ($X per tonne) and South Korea ($X per tonne) were amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Hong Kong SAR, while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Aluminium Imports

Imports into China

In 2019, the amount of aluminium imported into China rose significantly to X tonnes, picking up by X% compared with the previous year's figure. In general, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2012 when imports increased by X% y-o-y. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tonnes. From 2013 to 2019, the growth imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, aluminium imports expanded slightly to $X in 2019. Overall, imports, however, recorded a slight reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2012 with an increase of X% year-to-year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2013 to 2019, the growth imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2019, Malaysia (X tonnes) constituted the largest supplier of aluminium to China, accounting for a X% share of total imports. Moreover, aluminium imports from Malaysia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Russia (X tonnes), threefold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Viet Nam (X tonnes), with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2019, the average annual growth rate of volume from Malaysia stood at +X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Russia (+X% per year) and Viet Nam (+X% per year).

In value terms, Malaysia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of aluminium to China, comprising X% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Russia ($X), with a X% share of total imports. It was followed by Viet Nam, with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2019, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Malaysia amounted to +X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Russia (+X% per year) and Viet Nam (+X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2019, the average aluminium import price amounted to $X per tonne, shrinking by -X% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010 when the average import price increased by X% year-to-year. The import price peaked at $X per tonne in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2019, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2019, the highest prices were recorded for prices from New Zealand ($X per tonne) and the United Arab Emirates ($X per tonne), while the price for Thailand ($X per tonne) and Mongolia ($X per tonne) were amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by New Zealand, while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

What are the largest markets for aluminium in the world?

+

China (36M tonnes) remains the largest aluminium consuming country worldwide, accounting for 53% of total volume. Moreover, aluminium consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the U.S. (4.2M tonnes), ninefold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by India (2.8M tonnes), with a 4.1% share.

What are the largest producers of aluminium in the world?

+

China (36M tonnes) remains the largest aluminium producing country worldwide, accounting for 55% of total volume. Moreover, aluminium production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (4.5M tonnes), eightfold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Russia (3.6M tonnes), with a 5.4% share.

What are the leading suppliers of aluminium to China?

+

In value terms, Malaysia ($128M) constituted the largest supplier of aluminium to China, comprising 28% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Russia ($53M), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Viet Nam, with a 8.1% share.

What are the leading importers of aluminium from China?

+

In value terms, Japan ($611M) remains the key foreign market for aluminium exports from China, comprising 50% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Hong Kong SAR ($135M), with a 11% share of total exports. It was followed by Viet Nam, with a 9.7% share.

What is the average export price for aluminium in China?

+

The average aluminium export price stood at $2,150 per tonne in 2019, approximately reflecting the previous year.

What is the average import price for aluminium in China?

+

The average aluminium import price stood at $2,090 per tonne in 2019, falling by -6.2% against the previous year.