Qatar’s import of aluminium cans during 2018-20 unveils constant downfall; 145% growth estimated for 2021

According to the latest publication of the World Bank Gulf Economic Update (GEU), which was released with the title “COVID-19 Pandemic and the Road to Diversification”, stated that after a year of economic grief, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies are expected to return to an aggregate growth of 2.2% in 2021 and Qatar is also a part of this council. This growth is stimulated by the global economic recovery, projected at 5.6% and the revival of global oil demand and international oil prices.

The peninsular Arabian nation, Qatar’s primary aluminium producer Qatalum produced 655,300 tonnes of primary aluminium in 2020, as revealed by Gulf Aluminium Council - Special Edition publication and the nation also produces downstream aluminium products. On the segment of aluminium cans for the food and beverage domestic market, the GCC nation imported 2473 tonnes and the expenditure expended for the import was $11.11 million.

In 2018, the nation imported 1218 tonnes of aluminium cans, which remained the highest during 2018-20 and the expenditure accounted for the year was $7.08 million, whereas, in 2019, the import saw a downfall by 42.52%, as the import volume dipped to 700 tonnes and the expenditure also reduced to $3.84 million.

Qatar’s import volume of aluminium cans in 2020 was severely hit low with 555 tonnes only and the expenditure also unveiled a sharp fall to $0.19 million.

However, the following revival in the economic conditions of the country has driven to evaluate, the import of aluminium cans in 2021 with a growth of 144.68%, as the import volume is expected to reach 1358 tonnes and the expenditure to fall to $5.8 million.

The major trading destination for Qatar’s import of aluminium cans is Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, UK, etc.