M-o-M slowdown in US aluminium semis imports continued in October last year - USGS data shows

The United States had been seeing a slowdown in aluminium plates, sheets and bars imports since July 2019, while October was of no exception. From 105,000 tonnes in September, the import volume in October dropped to 99,800 tonnes, down 5,200 tonnes or 4.95 per cent.

In July and August 2019, the United States had imported 117,000 tonnes and 115,000 tonnes of aluminium plates, sheets and bars, representing the fact that the country’s imports in August were down by 2,000 tonnes by volume or 1.7 per cent. In September, the downfall was higher, recording a drop of 10,000 tonnes by volume or 8.69 per cent.

Year-on-year, the United States imports in October registered a fall of 16.13 per cent or 19,200 tonnes by volume. In October 2018, the United States imports of aluminium plates, sheets and bars were 119,000 tonnes.

In the whole of 10 months of 2019, the US aluminium semis imports totalled at 1.25 million tonnes, which was, however, up by 6.83 per cent or 80,000 tonnes. During January-October 2018, the United States total semi-finished imports were 1.17 million tonnes.

Canada was the highest exporter of aluminium semis to the US in October 2019, supplying 19,200 tonnes. In the previous month, Canada’s export to the US was 18,300 tonnes, meaning despite the drop in the US total aluminium semis imports in October, the country’s import from Canada saw a rise.