Aluminium demand in the U.S. slightly up in Q1 2019; apparent consumption up 1.3% YoY

According to the preliminary estimates from Aluminum Association, aluminium demand in the United States and Canada, including shipments by domestic producers plus imports stood at an estimated 3.25 million tonnes from January to March 2019, slightly up from the same period of 2018. Demand for semi-fabricated (mill) products for the first quarter stood at 2.3 million tonnes, up 2.1 per cent YoY.

Apparent consumption (demand less exports) in domestic markets totalled an estimated 2.9 million tonnes, up 1.3 per cent YoY. Apparent consumption in domestic markets totalled 984,295 tonnes in March, a slight rise over March 2018 total. Producer inventories totalled 3,511 million pounds in March, a slight drop month on month. Compared to a year ago, producer inventories were up 11.9 per cent.

Exports of aluminium ingot and mill products from the U.S. and Canada (excluding cross-border trade) totalled 358,791 tonnes through Q1 2019, off 6.2 per cent from the same period of 2018, while imports were off 10.3 per cent to 1 million tonne. 

Demand for aluminium semi-fabricated (mill) products totalled an estimated 804,672 tonnes in March, up 1.1 per cent over March 2018. Shipments of aluminium sheet and plate increased 6.1 per cent to 472,643 tonnes. Extruded product shipments declined 5.7 per cent YoY to 221,807 tonnes. Estimated shipments of aluminium ingot for castings, exports and other uses totalled 313,886 tonnes in March.