Malaysia’s export of aluminium bar rods and profiles to continue to rise in 2019; Vietnam to be the top importer after 2016

According to the global export-import data, the export of aluminium bar rods and profiles by Malaysia is expected to grow this year by 58 per cent to stand at 84,069 tonnes. In 2018 as well, the export volume had grown by about 44 per cent to come in at 53,253 tonnes. Only in 2017, the volume was year-on-year down to 37,001 tonnes, compared with 69,236 tonnes in 2016, showed the international data.

After 2016, Vietnam is expected to be the top importer of aluminium bar rods and profiles from Malaysia this year by securing 22,616 tonnes. In 2017 and 2018, Australia was the leading export destination for Malaysia. In 2017, Australia had imported 10,116 tonnes, while that in 2018 13,428 tonnes, up 33 per cent year-on-year. In 2016, Vietnam had sourced 48,757 tonnes of aluminium bar rods and profile from Malaysia, 115 per cent higher from the estimated volume this year.

The global export-import data also shows that Malaysia’s aluminium bar rods and profiles export value is likely to come in US$245 million, up 32 per cent from the previous year. In 2018 as well, the export value was higher by 45 per cent at US$186 million from 2017, in tandem with the increasing export volume. Also, as a consequence of the decline in export volume in 2017, the value stood down at US$128 million, compared with US$134 million in 2016.

In 2019, Vietnam is estimated to import aluminium bar rods and profiles from Malaysia at a value of US$41 million. In 2017 and 2018, Australia imported at a value of US$30 million and US$47 million, respectively.