Higher demand for aluminium in Azerbaijan pushes Kazakhstan’s exports up by 4.7 times

In the first four months of 2024, Kazakhstan saw a significant increase in aluminium exports, growing 4.7 times from 16,000 tonnes to 75,400 tonnes, according to the Kazinform agency, citing the Ministry of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan. 

Kazakhstan's exports have surged as demand for aluminium in Azerbaijan skyrocketed by eightfold, rising from 5,500 tonnes to 43,100 tonnes. Similarly, in Uzbekistan, demand surged by 10.5 times, increasing from 200 tonnes to 2,100 tonnes.

Additionally, the expansion of sales into new markets such as Belarus, Bulgaria, Italy, and Poland has further bolstered Kazakhstan's export growth, according to reports. A significant factor contributing to this increase is opening new markets, including Bulgaria, which imported 2.6 tonnes of aluminium from Kazakhstan between January and April 2024.

Kazakhstan holds less than 1 per cent of the global aluminium market share. In 2023, the country ranked 11th in the world for bauxite reserves with 160 million tonnes, and 10th for mine production with 4.3 million tonnes. In 2022, Türkiye, Italy, and Greece were the top three destinations for Kazakhstan's aluminium exports.

Additionally, Kazakhstan expanded its export markets to include countries such as Belarus, Bulgaria, Italy, and Poland.  The Ministry noted that the sole local producer of primary aluminium in Kazakhstan is JSC "Kazakhstan Electrolysis Plant" in Pavlodar.