South Africa: Aluminium Market Overview 2021

Aluminium Market Size in South Africa

In 2019, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in the South African aluminium market, when its value decreased by -X% to $X. Over the period under review, consumption showed a abrupt curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the market value increased by X% year-to-year. Aluminium consumption peaked at $X in 2008; however, from 2009 to 2019, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Aluminium Production in South Africa

In value terms, aluminium production dropped sharply to $X in 2019 estimated in export prices. Overall, production continues to indicate a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2019, production failed to regain the momentum.

Aluminium Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2019, the amount of aluminium exported from South Africa rose rapidly to X tonnes, picking up by X% compared with 2018 figures. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by X% year-to-year. As a result, exports reached the peak of X tonnes. From 2014 to 2019, the growth exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, aluminium exports declined to $X in 2019. In general, exports, however, showed a perceptible reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010 when exports increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, exports reached the maximum at $X in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2019, exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tonnes), the U.S. (X tonnes) and Japan (X tonnes) were the main destinations of aluminium exports from South Africa, with a combined X% share of total exports. Thailand, Brazil, the UK and Hong Kong SAR lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further X 2007 to 2019, the biggest increases were in Brazil (+X% per year), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for aluminium exported from South Africa were the Netherlands ($X), the U.S. ($X) and Japan ($X), with a combined X% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Thailand, the UK, Brazil and Hong Kong SAR, which together accounted for a further X (+X% per year) saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2019, the average aluminium export price amounted to $X per tonne, declining by -X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a noticeable descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of X% y-o-y. The export price peaked at $X per tonne in 2008; however, from 2009 to 2019, export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was Hong Kong SAR ($X per tonne), while the average price for exports to Brazil ($X per tonne) was 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 South Africa

In 2019, the amount of aluminium imported into South Africa rose significantly to X tonnes, increasing by X% on 2018 figures. In general, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2012 when imports increased by X% year-to-year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tonnes. From 2013 to 2019, the growth imports failed to regain the momentum.

In value terms, aluminium imports reduced to $X in 2019. Overall, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2019, imports failed to regain the momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2019, Bahrain (X tonnes) constituted the largest supplier of aluminium to South Africa, with a X% share of total imports. Moreover, aluminium imports from Bahrain exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the United Arab Emirates (X tonnes), twofold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Qatar (X tonnes), with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2019, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Bahrain stood at +X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+X% per year) and Qatar (+X% per year).

In value terms, Bahrain ($X) constituted the largest supplier of aluminium to South Africa, comprising X% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a X% share of total imports. It was followed by Qatar, with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2019, the average annual growth rate of value from Bahrain amounted to +X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+X% per year) and Qatar (+X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2019, the average aluminium import price amounted to $X per tonne, declining by -X% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a slight descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average import price increased by X% y-o-y. The import price peaked at $X per tonne in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2019, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Qatar, 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?

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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. India (2.8M tonnes) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 4.1% share.

What are the largest producers of aluminium in the world?

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China (36M tonnes) constituted the country with the largest volume of aluminium production, 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 South Africa?

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In value terms, Bahrain ($47M) constituted the largest supplier of aluminium to South Africa, comprising 52% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by the United Arab Emirates ($20M), with a 22% share of total imports. It was followed by Qatar, with a 11% share.

What are the leading importers of aluminium from South Africa?

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In value terms, the Netherlands ($264M), the U.S. ($202M) and Japan ($156M) were the largest markets for aluminium exported from South Africa worldwide, together comprising 61% of total exports. These countries were followed by Thailand, the UK, Brazil and Hong Kong SAR, which together accounted for a further 27%.

What is the average export price for aluminium in South Africa?

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The average aluminium export price stood at $1,788 per tonne in 2019, with a decrease of -16.6% against the previous year.

What is the average import price for aluminium in South Africa?

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The average aluminium import price stood at $2,083 per tonne in 2019, with a decrease of -14.1% against the previous year.