Ireland: Alumina Market Overview 2020

Alumina Market Size in Ireland

The Irish alumina market declined markedly to $X in 2019, which is down by -X% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, posted a resilient increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2008 when the market value increased by X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2019, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Alumina Production in Ireland

In value terms, alumina production shrank rapidly to $X in 2019 estimated in export prices. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2007 to 2019; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008 when the production volume increased by X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2018, and then dropped sharply in the following year.

Alumina Exports

Exports from Ireland

For the third year in a row, Ireland recorded growth in overseas shipments of alumina, which increased by X% to X tonnes in 2019. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a slight downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by X% y-o-y. Exports peaked at X tonnes in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2019, exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, alumina exports dropped significantly to $X in 2019. Overall, total exports indicated a slight increase from 2007 to 2019: its value decreased at an average annual rate of -X% over the last twelve years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, exports increased by +X% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, exports hit record highs at $X in 2018, and then fell rapidly in the following year.

Exports by Country

France (X tonnes), the Netherlands (X tonnes) and Russia (X tonnes) were the main destinations of alumina exports from Ireland, together comprising X% of total exports.

From 2007 to 2018, the biggest increases were in France, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Russia ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for alumina exported from Ireland worldwide, with a combined X% share of total exports.

In terms of the main countries of destination, France saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average alumina export price stood at $X per tonne in 2018, picking up by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a strong increase from 2007 to 2018: its price increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2018 figures, alumina export price increased by +X% against 2016 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2008 when the average export price increased by X% year-to-year. The export price peaked in 2018 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major export markets. In 2018, the highest prices were recorded for prices to the Netherlands ($X per tonne) and the UK ($X per tonne), while the average price for exports to Slovakia ($X per tonne) and Sweden ($X per tonne) were amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to France, while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Alumina Imports

Imports into Ireland

In 2019, approx. X tonnes of alumina were imported into Ireland; picking up by X% compared with 2018. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a modest increase from 2007 to 2019: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, imports increased by +X% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2011 when imports increased by X% year-to-year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tonnes. From 2012 to 2019, the growth imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, alumina imports fell to $X in 2019. Overall, total imports indicated a perceptible expansion from 2007 to 2019: its value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last twelve years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, imports decreased by -X% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2011 with an increase of X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2019, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2018, Brazil (X tonnes) was the main alumina supplier to Ireland, with a approx. X% share of total imports.

From 2007 to 2018, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Brazil amounted to +X%.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constituted the largest supplier of alumina to Ireland.

From 2007 to 2018, the average annual growth rate of value from Brazil amounted to +X%.

Import Prices by Country

The average alumina import price stood at $X per tonne in 2018, waning by -X% against the previous year. Over the period from 2007 to 2018, it increased at an average annual rate of +X%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 an increase of X% year-to-year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per tonne. From 2015 to 2018, the growth in terms of the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

As there is only one major supplying country, the average price level is determined by prices for Brazil.

From 2007 to 2018, the rate of growth in terms of prices for Brazil amounted to +X% per year.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

What are the largest markets for alumina in the world?

+

China (82M tonnes) constituted the country with the largest volume of alumina consumption, comprising approx. 60% of total volume. Moreover, alumina consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Russia (8.8M tonnes), ninefold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by India (8.4M tonnes), with a 6.2% share.

What are the largest producers of alumina in the world?

+

China (81M tonnes) remains the largest alumina producing country worldwide, comprising approx. 58% of total volume. Moreover, alumina production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Australia (19M tonnes), fourfold. Brazil (8.9M tonnes) ranked third in terms of total production with a 6.3% share.

What are the leading suppliers of alumina to Ireland?

+

In value terms, Brazil ($1.9M) constituted the largest supplier of alumina to Ireland.

What are the leading importers of alumina from Ireland?

+

In value terms, France ($242M), the Netherlands ($153M) and Russia ($91M) were the largest markets for alumina exported from Ireland worldwide, together comprising 62% of total exports.

What is the average export price for alumina in Ireland?

+

The average alumina export price stood at $571 per tonne in 2018, with an increase of 24% against the previous year.

What is the average import price for alumina in Ireland?

+

In 2018, the average alumina import price amounted to $4,883 per tonne, which is down by -8.7% against the previous year.