Belgium’s aluminium cans import to continue declining in 2019; Netherlands to be the key exporter

The global aluminium cans market is estimated to experience growth at a CAGR of 3.4 per cent to 3.6 per cent, thanks to the growth in China, Asia, Europe, and South America. Amidst this, some parts of the world are even likely to see a stagnant or decreasing trend in aluminium cans market because of lowered consumption of carbonated beverages. Nonetheless, the market in the European Union is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 4 per cent between 2017 and 2025, owing to increased recycling activities undertaken by the European Commission, as well as the national governments of France, Germany, and the U.K., according to Grand View Research, Inc.

However, according to our third-party data, aluminium cans import by Belgium may drop for the second straight year in 2019. After a rise in Belgium’s aluminium cans import in 2017 from 31,217 tonnes in 2016 to 43,875 tonnes, the country saw a sharp decline in 2018 totalling at 24,246 tonnes. The decline was thus, 22 per cent down from 2016 and 45 per cent from 2017. Belgium’s aluminium cans import volume is estimated to be at 23,672 tonnes, down 2.36 per cent year-on-year.

Even Belgium’s aluminium cans import cost is likely to mark the second consecutive year of fall in 2019. The country’s import cost in 2018 had dropped to US$97 million followed by a rise in the previous year (2017) from US$120 million in 2016 to US$126 million. This shows the import cost in 2018 had declined 19 per cent from 2016 and 23 per cent from 2017. In 2019, Belgium’s aluminium cans import cost is estimated to be pegged at US$85 million, down 12 per cent Y-o-Y.

The Netherlands is estimated to be the key exporter of aluminium cans to Belgium in 2019, providing 12,253 tonnes at US$34 million. Germany is expected to be the second primary exporter, supplying 5,397 tonnes at US$24 million.