Value of Ukraine’s alumina export registers a sharp rise in 2016; trend expected to continue in 2017

Ukraine is a sovereign state in Eastern Europe, bordered by Russia to the east, northeast, and south. Ukraine has a very large heavy-industry base and is one of the largest refiners of mineral and metallurgical products in Eastern Europe.  Rusal has two refineries in Ukraine producing about 1.7 million tonnes of alumina annually.  The alumina is usually exported to Russia to feed Rusal’s smelters.

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As shown by our data, Ukraine exported 1.46 million tonnes of alumina in 2015. In 2016, the country is estimated to export about 1.48 million tons of alumina. Considering the data for the last two years, Ukraine is estimated to export 1.5 million tons of alumina in 2017. The trend shows a steady rise in alumina export by Ukraine.

The total value of alumina export stood at USD 406 million in 2015. In 2016, the export generated a value of USD 757million. For 2017, alumina export value is estimated to stand at USD 976 million. We can see a sharp increase in alumina export prices which indicated the growing alumina demand and rising alumina prices in the export market due to tight supply.

The prime alumina exporter from Ukraine is the Nikolaev Alumina Refinery, which is one of the world's most energy efficient refineries with the highest level of automation across Russia and CIS. It is also RUSAL’s second largest alumina asset with an annual production of 1.6 million tonnes.

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Zaporozhye Aluminum Combine is another aluminium facility in the country with an alumina refinery run by Rusal.

Exports are entirely driven by Russia which shares about 99.7% of the total export. Belarus and USA import a very insignificant amount from Ukraine.