United Kingdom: Alumina Market Overview 2021

Alumina Market Size in the UK

In 2020, the UK alumina market decreased by -X% to $X, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. In general, consumption showed a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 when the market value increased by X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2020, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Alumina Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2020, exports of alumina from the UK contracted dramatically to X tonnes, dropping by -X% on 2019. Overall, exports showed a deep reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, exports attained the peak figure at X tonnes in 2009; however, from 2010 to 2020, exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, alumina exports dropped notably to $X in 2020. Over the period under review, exports showed a perceptible setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2009 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2020, exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

France (X tonnes), the Netherlands (X tonnes) and Germany (X tonnes) were the main destinations of alumina exports from the UK, together comprising X% of total exports. These countries were followed by Ireland, Spain, Serbia, Saudi Arabia and India, which together accounted for a further X 2007 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Saudi Arabia, while exports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for alumina exported from the UK were Germany ($X), France ($X) and Ireland ($X), with a combined X% share of total exports. The Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, India, Spain and Serbia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further X Arabia recorded 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 2020, the average alumina export price amounted to $X per tonne, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a slight expansion from 2007 to 2020: its price increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last thirteen-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2020 figures, alumina export price increased by +X% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2012 an increase of X% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per tonne in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2020, export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was Saudi Arabia ($X per tonne), while the average price for exports to the Netherlands ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the Netherlands, while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Alumina Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2020, the amount of alumina imported into the UK declined rapidly to X tonnes, shrinking by -X% compared with the year before. In general, imports continue to indicate a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 when imports increased by X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tonnes in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2020, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, alumina imports fell notably to $X in 2020. Overall, imports faced a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2020, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2020, Ireland (X tonnes) constituted the largest alumina supplier to the UK, with a X% share of total imports. Moreover, alumina imports from Ireland exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Germany (X tonnes), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Hungary (X tonnes), with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2020, the average annual growth rate of volume from Ireland totaled -X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (-X% per year) and Hungary (+X% per year).

In value terms, Ireland ($X) constituted the largest supplier of alumina to the UK, comprising X% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Germany ($X), with a X% share of total imports. It was followed by Hungary, with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2020, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Ireland amounted to -X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (-X% per year) and Hungary (+X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2020, the average alumina import price amounted to $X per tonne, falling by -X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated a temperate increase from 2007 to 2020: its price increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last thirteen-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2020 figures, alumina import price increased by +X% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per tonne in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2020, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2020, the country with the highest price was France ($X per tonne), while the price for Ireland ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France, while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

What are the largest markets for alumina in the world?

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The country with the largest volume of alumina consumption was China (95M tonnes), accounting for 60% of total volume. Moreover, alumina consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Australia (17M tonnes), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by India (8.3M tonnes), with a 5.2% share.

What are the largest producers of alumina in the world?

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China (91M tonnes) remains the largest alumina producing country worldwide, comprising approx. 61% of total volume. Moreover, alumina production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Australia (19M tonnes), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Brazil (8.1M tonnes), with a 5.4% share.

What are the leading suppliers of alumina to the UK?

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In value terms, Ireland ($26M) constituted the largest supplier of alumina to the UK, comprising 49% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Germany ($9.5M), with a 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Hungary, with a 7.5% share.

What are the leading importers of alumina from the UK?

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In value terms, Germany ($584K), France ($532K) and Ireland ($475K) constituted the largest markets for alumina exported from the UK worldwide, with a combined 40% share of total exports. The Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, India, Spain and Serbia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 22%.

What is the average export price for alumina in the UK?

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In 2020, the average alumina export price amounted to $1,111 per tonne, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year.

What is the average import price for alumina in the UK?

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The average alumina import price stood at $592 per tonne in 2020, which is down by -6% against the previous year.