US alumina imports decline 13.57% Q-o-Q to 312,000 tonnes in Q3 2020, while exports surge 5.01% to 37,700 tonnes

The United States imported 312,000 tonnes of alumina in the third quarter of 2020, bringing the total imports in the first nine months of the year to 1.03 million tonnes, according to the latest US Geological Survey data. On a quarter-on-quarter, the United States alumina imports in Q3 stood lower by 49,000 tonnes or 13.57 per cent from 361,000 tonnes, following a slight hike of 4,000 tonnes Q-o-Q in Q2 2020.

Brazil continued as the highest exporter of alumina to the US in Q3 2020 supplying 229,000 tonnes. In Q2, Brazil exported 197,000 tonnes, meaning the US alumina imports from Brazil in Q3 increased by 32,000 tonnes or 16.24 per cent Q-o-Q. The total alumina exports from Brazil to the US totalled 660,000 tonnes during January-September 2020.

The second-largest alumina exporter to the US in Q3 2020 was Jamaica. The United States imported 38,100 tonnes of alumina from Jamaica in the third quarter versus 71,000 tonnes in the previous quarter. So, on a quarterly basis, the US alumina imports from Jamaica in Q3 lowered by 32,900 tonnes or 46.33 per cent.

The United States alumina exports in Q3 2020 came in at 37,700 tonnes, up by 1,800 tonnes or 5.01 per cent from 35,900 tonnes in Q2 2020. The total exports during the first nine months of the year amounted to 112,000 tonnes.

Mexico imported the highest amount in Q3 at 16,500 tonnes compared with 13,700 tonnes in Q2. Mexico’s total imports from the US during January-September came in at 40,900 tonnes. Canada, being the second-highest importer, secured 5,080 tonnes, up by 7.63 per cent from 4,720 tonnes in Q2 2020.