EU anti-dumping duties result in 22% decline in China’s March 2021 aluminium extrusion export

In March 2021, China exported 58,000 tonnes of aluminium extrusion, which reflected a 2 per cent month-on-month decline and 22 per cent on year, according to the latest customs data. The year-on-year downfall is analysed as an outcome of the lower exports due to the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the boosted export volume in March 2020. The opening of the export window due to the slump in domestic aluminium prices amplified the March 2020 aluminium extrusion export by 244.8 per cent month-on-month.

In March 2021, Chinese aluminium extrusion producers had to reduce export orders to the European Union as the latter levied anti-dumping duties on Chinese aluminium extruded products. They instead focused more on the domestic market and other major exporting countries.

According to the customs data, China’s aluminium extrusion exports to the European Union in March 2021 were only 3,500 tonnes – 20.7 per cent less month-on-month and 64.7 per cent on year.

The European Union, which used to be China’s top aluminium extrusion export destination, fell to fourth in 2021. The first three positions took over by Vietnam, Nigeria, and Australia, accounting for about 10 per cent, 8 per cent, and 7 per cent of China’s total aluminium extrusion exports.

On March 30, 2021, the European Commission issued final rulings on anti-dumping investigations into aluminium extrusion imports from China and imposed duties ranging between 21.2 per cent and 32.1 per cent.