China aluminium profile trade shifts in July: Nigeria shipments jump 1,614 per cent, US imports slump 31.6 per cent

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According to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC), China's aluminium profile imports in July reached 2,467.211 tonnes, up 21.55 per cent month-on-month (M-o-M) and down 4.92 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y). In terms of import origins, China's aluminium profile imports in July were still mainly sourced from Taiwan (China), the United States, Japan and South Korea. Taiwan (China) ranked first with imports of 1,163.617 tonnes, accounting for 47.16 per cent of total imports and increasing by 44.24 per cent M-o-M.

The United States ranked second with imports of 332.53 tonnes, representing 13.48 per cent of total imports and declining by 31.57 per cent M-o-M. Japan ranked third with imports of 322.687 tonnes, making up 13.08 per cent of total imports and rising by 12.88 per cent M-o-M. According to the latest data from the customs, China's aluminium profile exports in July stood at 89,766.384 tonnes, down 2.36 per cent M-o-M and up 6.63 per cent Y-o-Y.

In terms of provincial export volume, China's aluminium profile exports in July mainly originated from Guangdong, Shandong, Fujian and Jiangsu. Guangdong exported 38,294.068 tonnes of aluminium profiles, accounting for 42.66 per cent of total exports and decreasing by 4.05 per cent M-o-M. Shandong ranked second with exports of 12,262.21 tonnes, representing 13.66 per cent of total exports and falling by 11.91 per cent M-o-M. Fujian exported 12,221.39 tonnes, accounting for 13.61 per cent of total exports. Jiangsu exported 4,408.24 tonnes, making up 4.91 per cent of total exports and dropping by 14.66 per cent M-o-M.

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In terms of export destinations, China's aluminium profiles in July were mainly exported to Nigeria, Malaysia, Vietnam and Israel. Nigeria was the largest export market with 7,745.23 tonnes, accounting for 8.63 per cent of total exports and surging by 1,614 per cent M-o-M. Malaysia ranked second with exports of 7,608.15 tonnes, representing 8.48 per cent of total exports and edging down by 1.49 per cent M-o-M. Vietnam ranked third with exports of 5,594.03 tonnes, accounting for 6.23 per cent of total exports and declining by 19.03 per cent M-o-M. Exports to Israel reached 5,241.67 tonnes, making up 5.84 per cent of total exports and increasing by 10.82 per cent M-o-M.

Overall, China's aluminium profile foreign trade in July presented a pattern of "mild rebound in imports and high-level M-o-M decline in exports". The absolute import volume of merely 2,467 tonnes accounted for only about 2.75 per cent of monthly exports, exerting no material impact on domestic supply and demand.

Imports remained supplementary purchases dominated by high-end precision profiles and electronic & auto parts supporting materials. Taiwan (China) topped the list with a 44.24 per cent M-o-M increase, which contrasts sharply with the 31.57 per cent M-o-M decline of imports from the United States. The latter was dragged down by the US Section 232 tariffs (50 per cent on primary aluminium products and 25 per cent on deep-processed products) and tightened trans-shipment inspections. The import structure continued to tilt toward high-tech materials from East Asia.

Exports reached 89,800 tonnes. The 6.63 per cent YoY growth reflected the low base effect and lingering overseas restocking demand. The M-o-M declines in exports from Guangdong, Shandong and Jiangsu indicated that the traditional off-season (high-temperature shutdowns and weak real estate sector) had spread to both domestic and foreign trade orders.

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Regarding export destinations, Nigeria's 1,614 per cent M-o-M surge was driven by a low base and the release of rigid demand from African infrastructure construction and window and door replacement. Malaysia maintained its leading position. Vietnam's 19.03 per cent M-o-M drop was attributed to the sluggish local real estate sector and saturated competition from Chinese profiles. Israel's 10.82 per cent M-o-M increase benefited from Middle East reconstruction and demand for photovoltaic mounting structures.

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