US aluminium semis import jumps 30.6% in Q1 2026 as Korea, China take the lead

In the trade of aluminium semi-fabricated products such as sheets, plates, foils, extruded profiles, tubes, and wire, the import volume of the US in the January-March or first quarter of 2026 marks a significant year-on-year rise, driven by strong demand and limited domestic smelting capacity.

According to the data recorded by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), as of Q1 2026, the volume of US imports of semi-fabricated aluminium products amounted to 423,000 tonnes. This marked a drastic year-on-year surge of 30.56 per cent, as the figures jumped from 324,000 tonnes imported in Q1 2025.

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The month-on-month growth chart

Comparing the import figures of Q1 2026, they point to a clear month-on-month growth:  

• March 2026 – 166,000 tonnes, up 25.76 per cent M-o-M
• February 2026 – 132,000 tonnes, up 6.45 per cent M-o-M
• January 2026 – 124,000 tonnes

Interestingly, the figures from the same period a year ago from Q1 2025 depict a contrasting image of month-on-month declines:

• March 2025 – 99,000 tonnes, down 1.98 per cent M-o-M
• February 2025 – 101,000 tonnes, down 19.84 per cent M-o-M
• January 2025 – 126,000 tonnes

The Q1 2026 trade figures highlight a clear upward trajectory for the US import of semi-fabricated aluminium products from overseas.

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Top exporters to the US

As per the USGS data, the top 5 exporting countries that have supplied semi-fabricated aluminium products to the US in the three-month period are as follows:

• Republic of Korea – shipped 95,000 tonnes (22.46 per cent)
• China – shipped 69,700 tonnes (16.48 per cent)
• Canada – shipped 30,300 tonnes (7.16 per cent)
• Germany – shipped 27,900 tonnes (6.6 per cent)
• Brazil – shipped 25,500 tonnes (6.03 per cent)

The Republic of Korea has retained its position from Q1 2025 as the leading exporter, with its shipment volume having risen Y-o-Y by a staggering 61.84 per cent from 58,700 tonnes shipped in Q1 2025.

China climbed from its third position in 2025, its export volume surging by a similar drastic 207.05 per cent Y-o-Y from 22,700 tonnes in Q1 2025.

Canada’s export volume declined Y-o-Y by 46.08 per cent from the 56,200 tonnes shipped in Q1 2025. Nonetheless, Canada remained a top source for the US buyers.

Oman and Saudi Arabia, which exported 20,800 tonnes and 20,000 tonnes, respectively, in Q1 2025, were replaced by Germany and Brazil in Q1 2026.

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