Aluminium demand and apparent consumption up in North America through May 2017

According to the preliminary estimates published by Aluminium Association indicate that aluminium demand in the United States and Canada that includes shipments by domestic producers plus imports increased 4.2% YoY to stand at 11,538 million pounds in the first five months of 2017.

For the period from January to May, demand for semi-fabricated (mill) products was up 6% to 8,215 million pounds. Apparent consumption (demand minus exports) in domestic markets increased 5.8% YoY to stand at an estimated 10,322 million pounds. Exports of aluminium ingot and mill products from the U.S. and Canada dropped 7.7% YoY to 1,216 million pounds through May, while imports were up 32.4% to 3,902 million pounds.

For the month of May, demand for aluminium semi-fabricated (mill) products stood at an estimated 1,770 million pounds, up 11% YoY. Shipments of aluminium sheet and plate also increased 12.7% to 982 million pounds. Extruded product shipments were up 6.7% YoY to 503 million pounds. Estimated shipments of aluminium ingot for castings, exports and other uses were off 1.8% YoY to 665 million pounds. Apparent consumption in domestic U.S. and Canada markets were up 10.2% YoY to 2,175 million pounds in May.

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Through the first five months of 2017, apparent consumption was up 5.8% over the same period last year. Producer inventories dropped 2.5% from April level of 2,916 million pounds to 2,842 million pounds in May and down 2.1% on a YoY basis.

But, the “Index of Net New Orders of Aluminum Mill Products” for June decreased 1% month on month and orders for flat roll products (sheet, plate, can stock and foil) registered a slight drop. Orders for extruded products decreased 1.2% and orders for redraw rod were off 5.5%. YoY, the drop was insignificant. On average, orders recorded by domestic producers through June 2017 were up 2.3% YoY.