Zambia’s import of Aluminium cans reveals inconsistency during 2018-20, yet remains a 100 million dollar market

Zambia is struggling hard for an economic turnaround with the blow Covid-19 pandemic. The country’s external debt is about $12billion, which is roughly 80% of the nation’s GDP. The economy was set to contract by 4.8% in 2020, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The southern African landlocked nation’s import of aluminium cans during 2018-19 was recorded at 5239 tonnes and the expenditure occurred for the import remained at $290.03 million. The import for 2020 stood at 1687 tonnes and the expenditure accounted for $139.26. However, when the import volume and expenditure of 2020 gets assorted with the existing two gets, it reflects 6926 tonnes and $429.29 million respectively.

Zambia’s import of aluminium cans in 2018 remained at 3676 tonnes, the highest in the phase of three years and the expenditure stood at $129.33 million, whereas, in 2019, the import dropped by 57.48%, as the import volume fell to 1563 tonnes, while the expenditure rose to $160.70 million.

The import for 2020 saw growth by 7.93%, as the import volume inclined to 1687 tonnes and the expenditure dropped to $139.26 million.

South Africa stands as the dominant supplier of aluminium cans to Zambia, while the USA has a very marginal supply.