Aluminium plates, sheets and strips import by Saudi Arabia to decline in 2019 after three years of growth

The global export-import data shows that after a year-on-year rise in Saudi Arabia’s aluminium plates, sheets and strips import last year, the country this year is likely to see a drop of 16 per cent to 89,966 tonnes. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's import was approximately at 106,936 tonnes, up 29 per cent from 83,053 tonnes in 2017. In 2016, the import amount was at around 59,353 tonnes, which indicates that the import volume had recorded a rise in 2017 as well, by about 40 per cent.

As far as the import cost is concerned, Saudi Arabia’s aluminium plates, sheets and strips import is estimated to be valued lower than the previous year, in tandem with the drop in import volume. Compared with US$491 million in 2018, the country’s import cost this year is likely to come in at US$ 317 million, down 35 per cent over the year. The import cost in 2018 was, however, up by 10 per cent from US$446 in 2017, which was again higher by 208 per cent than US$ 145 million in 2016.

So, to conclude, Saudi Arabia’s aluminium plates, sheets and strips import volume, as well as cost are projected to stand down this year after three years of rises in a row.

The architectural, building and construction sector (ABC) is the main driver of the aluminium downstream products demand in the Middle East countries. Packaging is also a key user segment, while transportation, electrical and other industrial applications are the emerging markets. Saudi Arabia, UAE and Iran in 2012 were the major markets in the Middle East that accounted for about 73 per cent of the region’s total aluminium flat rolled products usage.