US aluminium plates, sheets and bars imports in 1Q2023 reflect a 25% fall despite higher sourcing from Canada

The United States aluminium plates, sheets and bars imports in March 2023 stood at 89,200 tonnes, bringing the total imports in the first quarter to 261,000 tonnes, found the US Census Bureau data. The quarterly import volume edged a fall of 25 per cent year-on-year from 348,000 tonnes.

However, the monthly import in March rose by 16,300 tonnes or 22.36 per cent sequentially from 72,900 tonnes. The import grew back-to-back following an increase of 9,900 tonnes or 15.71 per cent from 63,000 tonnes. But on a year-on-year calculation, the US aluminium plates, sheets and bars imports in March 2023 plunged by 39,800 tonnes or 30.85 per cent from 129,000 tonnes.

From Canada, the United States imported 19,000 tonnes of aluminium plates, sheets and bars in March 2023, compared to 16,600 tonnes in February 2023 and 18,600 tonnes in March 2022. That indicated a month-on-month increase of 14.46 per cent and a slight year-on-year growth of 2.15 per cent, learned USGS data.

During January-March, the US imported 53,600 tonnes of aluminium plates, sheets and bars, which was 8.06 per cent higher than 49,600 tonnes during the same period of the previous year.

From China, the second largest aluminium plates, sheets and bars importing source, the United States hauled 12,000 tonnes in March 2023, up by 11.11 per cent from 10,800 tonnes in February 2023. On a year-on-year basis, the import was down by 28.57 per cent from 16,800 tonnes.

The United States total imports of aluminium plates, sheets and bars from China during the first quarter amounted to 44,800 tonnes, down by 11.81 per cent from 50,800 tonnes during the corresponding period of the last year.