China's aluminium import in H1 surge by 10%: Customs data

In 2023, China experienced a considerable rise in its dependence on imported aluminium as the domestic metal supply decreased. This shift is seen as a strategic response to counterbalance the below-average output from domestic production. Recent customs data discloses that China witnessed a significant 10.7 per cent surge in aluminium imports during H1 2023 of the year compared to the corresponding period in the previous year.

Imports of unwrought aluminium and related products experienced a significant surge, totalling 1.2 million tonnes. Notably, primary metal and alloyed aluminium were among the prominently imported items. As per a Reuters report, the imports for June amounted to 211,235 tonnes, showcasing a considerable increase of 12.8 per cent compared to the same month in 2022.

China has experienced a decrease in its yearly aluminium production due to several factors. As a result, the country has struggled to meet the rising demand post-COVID period. For instance, in the Yunnan region, which contributes around 12 per cent of China's total aluminium supply, power cuts have been an issue since September of the previous year. This problem arose from reduced rainfall in the area, impacting power generation. Consequently, electrolytic aluminium producers in Yunnan were forced to cut back on their power consumption, leading to a slowdown in the growth of aluminium output.

China's primary aluminium production attained 10.1 million tonnes during the initial quarter of this year, exhibiting an impressive 5.9 per cent growth compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Despite this remarkable increase, production must be improved to satisfy the prevailing demand.

Moreover, there has been a significant surge in the import of bauxite, a crucial raw material for aluminium production. Notably, during the month of June, bauxite imports experienced a remarkable increase of 22.9 per cent. Furthermore, in the initial six months of the year, imports saw a substantial rise of 10.6 per cent.

China, the world's foremost consumer of metals, is anticipated analysts to introduce further stimulus measures to strengthen its economy. Should this materialize, it could lead to a surge in demand for industrial metals and potentially impact the supply of aluminium.

In 2023, China experienced a considerable rise in its dependence on imported aluminium as the domestic metal supply decreased. This shift is seen as a strategic response to counterbalance the below-average output from domestic production. Recent customs data discloses that China witnessed a significant 10.7 per cent surge in aluminium imports during H1 2023 of the year compared to the corresponding period in the previous year.

Imports of unwrought aluminium and related products experienced a significant surge, totalling 1.2 million tonnes. Notably, primary metal and alloyed aluminium were among the prominently imported items. As per a Reuters report, the imports for June amounted to 211,235 tonnes, showcasing a considerable increase of 12.8 per cent compared to the same month in 2022.

China has experienced a decrease in its yearly aluminium production due to several factors. As a result, the country has struggled to meet the rising demand post-COVID period. For instance, in the Yunnan region, which contributes around 12 per cent of China's total aluminium supply, power cuts have been an issue since September of the previous year. This problem arose from reduced rainfall in the area, impacting power generation. Consequently, electrolytic aluminium producers in Yunnan were forced to cut back on their power consumption, leading to a slowdown in the growth of aluminium output.

China's primary aluminium production attained 10.1 million tonnes during the initial quarter of this year, exhibiting an impressive 5.9 per cent growth compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Despite this remarkable increase, production must be improved to satisfy the prevailing demand.

Moreover, there has been a significant surge in the import of bauxite, a crucial raw material for aluminium production. Notably, during the month of June, bauxite imports experienced a remarkable increase of 22.9 per cent. Furthermore, in the initial six months of the year, imports saw a substantial rise of 10.6 per cent.

China, the world's foremost consumer of metals, is anticipated analysts to introduce further stimulus measures to strengthen its economy. Should this materialize, it could lead to a surge in demand for industrial metals and potentially impact the supply of aluminium.