Top 5 Aluminium Importing Countries from US in March 2020; Mexico remained the mainstay

According to the data released by the US Geological Survey, the United States in March 2020 exported 254,000 tonnes of aluminium (including scrap), marking a month-on-month hike of 7.63 per cent from 236,000 tonnes. This brought the United States total aluminium exports in the first quarter of 2020 to 720,000 tonnes, down by nearly 3 per cent from 741,000 tonnes exported during the same period last year. In March 2020, Mexico continued to be the top importer of aluminium from the US among other key importers like Canada, India, the Republic of Korea, and Malaysia.

Mexico’ aluminium imports from the US totalled 53,600 tonnes in March 2020, up by 3,400 tonnes or 6.77 per cent from 50,200 tonnes in February. In January, Mexico had imported 49,200 tonnes of aluminium from the US, meaning a month-on-month rise of 1,000 tonnes or 2.03 per cent in February. This shows Mexico’s aluminium imports from the US saw growth every month in the first quarter of 2020. The country’s total imports in Q1 2020 amounted to 153,000 tonnes.

On a year-on-year basis, Mexico’s aluminium imports from the United States in March 2020 saw a plunge of 5,100 tonnes or 8.69 per cent from 58,700 tonnes.

Canada, being the second largest importer, secured 43,600 of aluminium from the US in March 2020. In February, the country imported 46,500 tonnes, which indicates a month-on-month decline of 2,900 tonnes or 6.24 per cent in March. The imports in January were almost the same as February at 46,400 tonnes. Canada’s total aluminium imports in the first quarter of 2020 from the US came in at 136,000 tonnes, up by 3,000 tonnes or 2.26 per cent from 133,000 tonnes year-on-year.

Canada’s aluminium imports in March 2020 stood down marginally by 600 tonnes or 1.36 per cent from 44,200 tonnes in March 2019.

Recording a month-on-month hike of 3.94 per cent in March 2020, India’s aluminium imports from the US stood at 34,300 tonnes. In February, the country imported 33,000 tonnes, while in January 29,000 tonnes. Thus, India’s aluminium imports from the US in February grew by 4,000 tonnes or 13.79 per cent month-on-month. India’s total aluminium imports from the US in the first quarter of 2020 came in at 96,300 tonnes, an increase of 13.79 per cent from 62,200 tonnes in Q1 2019.

Year-on-year, India’s aluminium imports from the US in March 2020 stood 30.42 per cent higher from 26,300 tonnes.

The Republic of Korea, in March 2020, imported 29,600 tonnes of aluminium from the US, up by 13.85 per cent from 26,000 tonnes in February 2020. The imports in February were also higher by 5.26 per cent from 24,700 tonnes in January. The Republic of Korea’s total imports in the first quarter of the year stood at 80,300 tonnes. Year-on-year, the Republic of Korea’s imports in March grew by 1,600 tonnes or 5.71 per cent from 28,000 tonnes.

Malaysia, the fifth largest aluminium importer from the US, secured 24,700 tonnes in March, up by 5.56 per cent from 23,400 tonnes in February. In January, the country imported 27,500 tonnes, meaning the imports in February dropped by 15 per cent month-on-month. Malaysia’s total imports in Q1 2020 were 75,500 tonnes. On a year-on-year, the country’s imports in March 2020 stood sharply higher by 59.35 per cent from 15,500 tonnes.