China’s aluminium foil exports may rebound in 2021, food and drug foil to contribute to the rise

SHANGHAI, Mar 17 (SMM)—China exported 1.23 million mt of aluminium foil in 2020, down 4.95% on the year, according to customs data.

By HS code

Exports of products under HS code 76071110 (unprocessed aluminium foil without backing after rolling, thickness ≤0.007mm) totalled 293,400 mt in 2020, a year-on-year increase of 6.69%;

Exports of products under HS code 76071120 (unprocessed aluminium foil without backing after rolling, 0.007mm< thickness ≤0.01mm) totalled 74,200 mt, a year-on-year decrease of 2.37%;

Exports of products under HS code 76072000 (unbacked aluminium foil) totalled 191,800 mt, a year-on-year decrease of 7.79%;

Exports of products under HS code 76071190 (unprocessed aluminium foil without backing after rolling, 0.01mm< thickness ≤0.2mm) totalled 422,000 mt, a year-on-year decrease of 9.25%;

Exports of products under HS code 76071900 (other unbacked aluminum foils) totalled 249,800 mt, a year-on-year decrease of 7.82%.

In general, China’s aluminium foil export in 2020 was smaller than that in 2019, but exports of light gauge foil was robust.

By country

China exported aluminium foil to 198 countries and regions in 2020. The top 10 export countries, namely India, Thailand, South Korea, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the United States, Mexico, Japan and Vietnam, accounted for 51.79% of the total export volume, barely changed from 2019. Many aluminium foil plants have reported shrinking overseas orders as in recent years some countries and organizations have imposed anti-dumping or countervailing measures on China’s aluminium foil products.

By month

In 2020, the monthly average aluminium foil export stood at about 100,000 mt (about 2.5% of China’s annual aluminium foil output). Exports stood at only 59,600 mt in February due to the Chinese New Year holiday and the COVID-19 pandemic, with a year-on-year decrease of 31.95% and a month-on-month decrease of 51.05%. However, exports rose to 134,400 mt in March, the highest level in 2020, as motor transport gradually recovered as the pandemic was curbed. In addition, overseas clients were willing to stockpile cargoes as they worried about the spread of the virus. 

Aluminium foil exports are likely to see year-on-year decrease in February and March of 2021. Many producers reported shrinking foreign orders as domestic aluminium prices have risen faster than prices overseas since February. Exports in 2021 are expected to rebound to around 1.29 million mt if aluminium prices fall and the pandemic is under control, and food and drug foil will mainly contribute to the rise.