Ireland’s Bauxite import during 2017-20 reveals strong market, Aughinish alumina refinery remains the root cause

Ireland has a mixed economic system which includes a variety of private freedom, combined with centralized economic planning and government regulation. Ireland is a member of the European Union. A wide range of manufactured products is exported, including electrical machinery and apparatus, processed foods, chemical products, clothing and textiles, and beverages.

The North Atlantic Island nation’s bauxite importation during 2017-19 has remained strong, as the import volume stood at 11.79 million tonnes and revenue expended on the import remained at $383.60 million. The estimated import for 2020 has been analysed at 4.59 million tonnes and expenditure to stand at $182.04million. However, when the analysed import volume and expenditure of 2020 gets assorted with the previous three years, it exhibits 16.38 million tonnes and $565.64 million respectively.

Rusal-owned Aughinish alumina refinery, which started with 800,000 tonnes per year capacity and now produces 1.9 million tonnes, alone makes Ireland a significant hub for alumina production.

Ireland’s bauxite importation during 2017 was recorded at 2.45 million tonnes and it incurred expenditure at $85.24 million, whereas in 2018 the import grew by 88.16%, as the import volume stood at 4.61 million tonnes and revenue expenditure rose to $188.53 million.

In 2019, the country’s importation also reflected growth by 2.60%, as the import volume expanded to 4.73 million tonnes and expenditure soared to $194.22 million.

The projected import for 2020 has been analysed with a marginal drop by 2.95%, as the import volume tripped to 4.59 million tonnes and expenditure to outreach at $182.04 million.

The major trading nations for Ireland’s importation of bauxite are Brazil, Guinea, Guyana, Greece, etc.

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