Aluminum Association updates on downstream market in US and Canada

Preliminary estimates indicate that aluminum demand in the United States and Canada (shipments by domestic producers plus imports) totaled an estimated 13,063 million pounds through June 2015, up 2.9 percent over the same period last year. Demand for semi-fabricated (mill) products totaled 9,349 million pounds, up 7.9 percent. Apparent consumption (demand less exports) in domestic markets totaled an estimated 11,640 million pounds, increasing 7.4 percent year-to-date.

Exports of aluminum ingot and mill products from the U.S. and Canada (excluding cross-border trade) totaled 1,423 million pounds through the first half of 2015, down 23.3 percent from the same period last year while imports were up 20.3 percent to 3,095 million pounds.

Demand for aluminum semi-fabricated (mill) products in the United States and Canada (measured in shipments by domestic producers plus imports) totaled an estimated 1,597 million pounds in June, increasing 2.3 percent over the June 2014 total of 1,561 million pounds. Aluminum sheet and plate totaled 876 million pounds in June, up 1.2 percent. Extruded products were up 7.5 percent year-over-year to 478 million pounds.

Estimated shipments of aluminum ingot for castings, exports and other uses totaled 601 million pounds, down 3.7 percent from a year ago. Apparent consumption in domestic U.S. and Canada markets totaled 1,941 million pounds in June, up 3.1 percent over the June 2014 total of 1,882 million pounds. Through the first half of 2015, estimated apparent consumption totaled 11,640 million pounds, up 7.4 percent over the same period in 2014.

The Association’s “Index of Net New Orders of Aluminum Mill Products” for July decreased 4.5 percent from the previous month. Orders for flat roll products were off 5.3 percent, while orders for extruded products decreased 3.9 percent and orders for redraw rod increased 6.6 percent. Compared to July 2014, orders were down 2.2 percent. On average, orders recorded by domestic producers through July were up 4.6 percent over last year. Excluding domestic can stock, year-to-date orders are up 4.5 percent over last year.