Global exports of aluminium plates, sheets and strips between 2023 and 2025 have formed a chain that goes beyond routine market cycles. The export trend depicts the reshaping of the market by policy decisions, geopolitical tensions and evolving supply chains. Latest trade data accumulated from the International Trade Administration throws light on how these factors directly influence export performance across major producing nations. 

Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain 

With the global consumption of aluminium plates, sheets and strips standing at 26.92 million tonnes in 2025, the total quantity traded by the top 10 exporters stood around 23.09 million tonnes, reflecting their dominance in the global Flat Rolled Products (FRP) market, controlling about 85.77 per cent of the market.  

China: Policy reset eases the export trend

China’s export trend shows the impact of policy shifts. Shipments jumped from 2.77 million tonnes in 2023 to 3.43 million tonnes in 2024, marking a 23.5 per cent increase, largely because exporters rushed volumes ahead of the withdrawal of tax rebates on aluminium semis.

By 2025, exports had eased to 3.07 million tonnes, down 10.3 per cent. This pullback was caused by the removal of rebates that pushed up export costs, while stronger domestic demand absorbed a larger share of production.

Germany: Strong growth despite operational obstacles

Germany’s export numbers have remained remarkably stable. The operating environment became more challenging, rising from the crisis of cheap Russian gas and two consecutive years of economic recession post the onset of the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

Nonetheless, the country shipped 1.32 million tonnes in 2023, 1.31 million tonnes in 2024, indicating a 0.5 per cent decline and 1.33 million tonnes in 2025, i.e., up 1.3 per cent.