US alumina imports in Q2 2023 edge a rise of 2.7% Q-o-Q, with Brazil exporting 285,000 tonnes

The United States alumina imports recorded a sequential rise of 9,000 tonnes or 2.71 per cent in the second quarter of 2023. From 323,000 tonnes in Q1, the United States alumina imports increased to 332,000 tonnes in Q2, found the US Census Bureau data. On a year-on-year basis, the import volume in Q2 2023 saw a plunge of 161,000 tonnes or 31.4 per cent from 484,000 tonnes.

The total imports in the first half of 2023 amounted to 656,000 tonnes, reflecting a downfall of 29.39 per cent from 929,000 tonnes a year ago.

From Canada and Jamaica, the United States alumina imports in Q2 2023 declined by 13.90 per cent and 53.92 per cent, respectively, on a quarter-on-quarter basis. The imports from Canada decreased from 22,300 tonnes to 19,200 tonnes and from Jamaica to 5,990 tonnes from 13,000 tonnes. On a year-on-year basis, the imports from the respective countries shrank by 9.43 per cent and 50.5 per cent from 21,200 tonnes and 12,100 tonnes.

However, from Brazil, the primary supplier of alumina, the United States imported 285,000 tonnes of ore, which reflected an increase of 16,000 tonnes or 5.95 per cent from 269,000 tonnes in Q1 2023. But on a year-on-year calculation, the import volume slumped by 22.34 per cent from 367,000 tonnes.

The United States alumina exports in Q2 2023 stood at 35,400 tonnes, up by 5.36 per cent from 33,600 tonnes in Q1 but down by 20.09 per cent from 44,300 tonnes in Q2 2022.