Downstream aluminium market highlight from US and Canada

Aluminum imports of ingot, scrap and mill products into the U.S. and Canada (excluding cross-border trade) totaled 516 million pounds during April 2014, up 24.8 percent from the April 2013 total of 413 million pounds. Including scrap, which accounted for about 51 percent of reported aluminum exports, exports totaled 569 million pounds in April, down 8.1 percent from a year ago. Excluding scrap, exports totaled 281 million pounds, off 13.1 percent from last year. Exports of scrap were down 2.6 percent year-over-year. During the first four months of 2014, imports rose 15.2 percent to 1,813 million pounds while exports were off 9.5 percent to 2,406 million pounds. Statistics are derived from customs data released by the U.S. and Canadian governments.

The Association’s “Index of Net New Orders of Aluminum Mill Products” for May increased 1.5 percent over April. Orders for flat roll products (sheet, plate, can stock and foil) increased 2.9 percent over the previous month, order receipts for extruded products were off 3.8 percent, and order receipts for redraw rod were up 1.3 percent. Compared to May 2013, orders rose four-tenths of one percent over the previous year. On average, orders recorded by domestic producers through May 2014 declined eight-tenths of one percent from last year. Excluding domestic can stock, year-to-date orders are up 2.2% over last year.