North American Primary production drops slightly in May, secondary recovery supports growing demand

The Aluminum Association, in cooperation with the Aluminium Association of Canada, reported primary aluminum production in North America (U.S. and Canada) was at an annual rate of 3,950,536 tonnes during May 2017.

On a month on month comparison, the rate is down 0.4% from the April 2017 rate of 3,965,567 tonnes. On a YoY comparison, North American annual production rate slightly dropped from May 2016.

The production rate in the U.S. increased 2.9% MoM, while the Canadian rate was off 1.1% indicating the consistent production rate in Canada. Actual production through the first five months of 2017 stood at 1,640,433 tonnes, down 3.8% from a year ago. On a positive note, secondary recovery and production in the US is on a rising track in the first quarter of 2017 sequentially and on a year-on-year comparison.

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Preliminary estimates from Aluminum Association indicate that aluminium demand in the United States and Canada (shipments by domestic producers plus imports) stood at an estimated 9,098 million pounds through the first four months of 2017, up 3.0% YoY. Overall, the first five months look positive for the North American aluminium industry.