US alumina imports in 2Q2022 edge 26% higher Y-o-Y, with Brazil as a mainstay exporter

The United States imported 484,000 tonnes of alumina in the second quarter of 2022 versus 445,000 tonnes in the first quarter of the year, found the US Census Bureau. According to quarter-on-quarter calculation, that was an increase of 39,000 tonnes or 8.76 per cent.  On a yearly basis, the US Q2 alumina imports reflected a surge of 26.37 per cent from 383,000 tonnes.

The USGS data also showed the United States’ total import volume of alumina in the first half of 2022 amounted to 929,000 tonnes, registering a hike of 16.27 per cent from 799,000 tonnes a year ago.

In Q2 2022, Brazil continued to be the main exporter of alumina to the US, providing 367,000 tonnes. That was 15.05 per cent or 48,000 tonnes more than 319,000 tonnes in the first quarter of the year. In six months, the United States imported 686,000 tonnes of alumina in total from Brazil, compared to 472,000 tonnes during the same period last year.

Spain was the second-leading exporter of alumina to the US in Q2, supplying 25,000 tonnes. However, the export volume from Spain decreased Q-o-Q by 37.34 per cent or 14,900 tonnes from 39,900 tonnes. In total first half ended June 30, alumina exports from Spain to the US amounted to 64,900 tonnes.

In Q2 2021, Jamaica was the second-leading exporter of alumina to the US, with 87,400 tonnes of export volume versus 77,500 tonnes in Q1.