Brazil ranks second as a net exporter of alumina

The global demand for alumina is growing like never before with phenomenal growth in aluminium production, especially in China. The world will continue to see strong demand growth for alumina particularly in China and the Middle East countries.  It opens up new trading opportunities for the alumina producing countries around the world and especially for the net exporters of alumina.

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Globally, Brazil ranks second as a net exporter of alumina. Hydro’s Alunorte is the world's largest alumina refinery and is located in Pará, Brazil. After 20 years in operation, the company supplies the domestic and international markets with an annual production capacity of 6.2 million tons. On average, 14% of its production goes to the domestic market and the other 86 % goes for export. Currently, Hydro Alunorte exports its products to the Middle East, North America and Europe.  

ALUMAR is another alumina refinery in one of the largest alumina and primary aluminum production complexes in the world owned by Alcoa, RioTinto, and South 32. The refinery has an annual capacity of 3.5 million tons.

As the data shows, in 2015, Brazil exported 8.6 million tons of alumina globally. The alumina export delivered USD 2.6 billion revenue to the exporters. In 2016 too, the country is estimated to export 8.4 million tons of alumina globally with a revenue realization of USD 2.3 billion. For the first eleven months of 2017, Brazil is estimated to export 8.1 million tons of alumina and the revenue is forecasted to be about USD 2.6 billion.

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Alumina prices have risen in 2016 due to tight supply in the international market and growing demand in China. The trend is expected to continue this year indicating a rising trend in export as well as in revenue realization.  The top alumina importers from Brazil are Canada, Norway, UAE and Argentina.