United States alumina imports plunge by 31% to 1.34MT in 2020, but exports grow by 16% to 50,400 tonnes

In the fourth quarter of 2020, the United States alumina imports stood at 314,000 tonnes, reflecting a marginal decrease of 2,000 tonnes quarter-on-quarter. In Q3 2020, the United States had imported 312,000 tonnes of alumina – 13.57 per cent less than 361,000 tonnes in Q2 2020. On a year-on-year calculation, the United States alumina imports in Q4 2020 stood down by 32.62 per cent from 466,000 tonnes.

In the entire year of 2020, the United States alumina imports totalled 1.340 million tonnes compared to 1.940 million tonnes in 2019. This records a downfall of 30.93 per cent year-on-year in the US alumina imports in 2020.

Brazil continued to be the top exporter of alumina to the United States in the fourth quarter of 2020, supplying 239,000 tonnes. In Q3, Brazil exported 229,000 tonnes – 16.24 per cent higher than 197,000 tonnes in Q2. Brazil’s alumina exports to the US in Q4 2020 increased 4.37 per cent quarter-on-quarter and 26.46 per cent on the year from 189,000 tonnes.

Brazil’s full-year alumina exports to the US amounted to 899,000 tonnes, down by 11 per cent year-on-year from 1.010 million tonnes.

Jamaica was the second-largest exporter to the US in Q4 2020, which supplied 38,400 tonnes compared to 38,100 tonnes in Q3 2020. Year-on-year, Jamaica’s exports to the US stood 49.47 per cent lower than 76,000 tonnes.

In the entire year, Jamaica exported 181,000 tonnes – 22 per cent less than 232,000 tonnes in 2019.

The United States alumina exports, on the other hand, improved by 33.69 per cent in Q4 2020 from 37,700 tonnes in Q3 to 50,400 tonnes. However, on a year-on-year basis, the United States alumina exports in Q4 stood 15.86 per cent lower than 59,900 tonnes.

Mexico was the highest importer from the US, which secured 19,300 tonnes in Q4 2020 compared to 16,500 tonnes in Q3. Hence, on a quarter-on-quarter calculation, Mexico’s alumina imports from the US in Q4 2020 reflected a hike of 16.97 per cent. On a yearly basis, the imports soared by 256.09 per cent from 5,420 tonnes.

In 2020, Mexico imported 60,200 tonnes of alumina from the US, up by 42.32 per cent from 42,300 tonnes in 2019.