US alumina imports flaunt an 8% Q-o-Q hike for 1Q2022 despite a fall from its highest exporter Brazil

In the first quarter of 2022, the United States imported 445,000 tonnes of alumina, recording a quarter-on-quarter hike of 8.27 per cent or 34,000 tonne from 411,000 tonnes. On a year-on-year basis, the imports during the said quarter grew by 6.97 per cent from 416,000 tonnes, showed the US Census Bureau data.

Brazil, the highest exporter of primary aluminium raw materials to the US, supplied 319,000 tonnes of alumina in Q1, compared to 341,000 tonnes in the previous quarter. That showed a Q-o-Q downfall of 6.45 per cent despite the rise in the United States total imports in the first quarter. On a year-on-year calculation, the US alumina imports from Brazil surged by 45 per cent from 220,000 tonnes.

Spain emerged as the second leading exporter of alumina to the US in 1Q2022, supplying 39,900 tonnes, followed by Canada exporting 19,200 tonnes. On a quarter-on-quarter calculation, the United States alumina imports from Canada in Q1 recorded an increase of 7.26 per cent from 17,900 tonnes, and on a year registered a growth of 20 per cent from 16,000 tonnes.

In the entire year of 2021, the United States had imported 1.55 million tonnes of alumina, according to the US Census Bureau.

Coming to exports, the United States shipped 40,600 tonnes of alumina during 1Q2022, compared to 41,700 tonnes in 4Q2021 and 46,800 tonnes in 1Q2021. Hence, on Q-o-Q, the exports inched down by 2.64 per cent, and Y-o-Y plunged by 13.25 per cent.

Mexico was the leading export destination, receiving 16,300 tonnes, followed by Canada, securing 5,310 tonnes.