North American estimated aluminum demand up 2.9% YTD in February

Preliminary estimates indicate that aluminum demand in the United States and Canada (shipments by domestic producers plus imports) totaled an estimated 4,133 million pounds during the first two months of 2015, up 2.9 percent over a year ago. Demand for semi-fabricated (mill) products totaled 2,900 million pounds, up 11.8 percent. Apparent consumption (demand less exports) in domestic markets totaled an estimated 3,693 million pounds, increasing 8.1 percent year-to-date.

Exports of aluminum ingot and mill products from the U.S. and Canada (excluding cross-border trade) totaled 440 million pounds through February, down 26.8 percent from the same period last year while imports were up 20.7 percent to 918 million pounds.

Demand for aluminum semi-fabricated (mill) products in the United States and Canada (measured in shipments by domestic producers plus imports) totaled an estimated 1,413 million pounds in February, increasing 13.7 percent over the February 2014 total of 1,242 million pounds. Aluminum sheet and plate totaled 814 million pounds in February, up 20.1 percent. Extruded products were up 9.9 percent year-over-year to 393 million pounds. Estimated shipments of aluminum ingot for castings, exports and other uses totaled 596 million pounds, down 8.7 percent from a year ago. Apparent consumption in domestic U.S. and Canada markets totaled 1,781 million pounds in February, up 8.3 percent over the February 2014 total of 1,644 million pounds. Estimated apparent consumption in 2014 totaled 21,953 million pounds.