Analysis of China’s aluminium extrusion exports in March amid anti-dumping by the EU

SHANGHAI, Apr 26 (SMM)—China's aluminium extrusion exports in March 2021 were 58,000 mt, down 2% month-on-month and 22% year-on-year, latest customs data show.

The year-on-year decline was due to enormous exports in March 2020 before the global outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, and domestic producers resumed production to delivery February’s backlog orders. At the same time, the opening of the export window due to the slump in domestic aluminium prices also boosted exports. In March 2020, the export volume of aluminium extrusion soared 244.8% month-on-month.

In March 2021, the EU's anti-dumping duties drove Chinese aluminium extrusion producers to reduce export orders to the EU and focus more on the domestic market and other major exporting countries.

According to customs data, China's aluminium extrusion exports to the EU in March 2021 were just 3,500 mt, down 20.7% month-on-month and 64.7% year-on-year.

The EU used to be China’s top aluminium extrusion export destination, but its ranking has fallen to fourth. The top three destinations were Vietnam, Nigeria, and Australia, which accounted for 10%, 8%, and 7% of China’s total aluminium extrusion exports.

China’s aluminium extrusion exports  2018-2021

On March 30, 2021, the European Commission issued final rulings on anti-dumping investigations into Chinese aluminium extrusion and decided to impose anti-dumping duties ranging from 21.2% to 32.1% on China's aluminium extrusions and certain aluminium structures.

A 21.2% anti-dumping duty has been imposed on Guangdong Haomei New Materials and Guangdong Jingjing Special Profile and a 25.0% anti-dumping duty has been imposed on Guangdong Aomei Aluminium and Guangdong Aomei High-tech.

A 22.1% anti-dumping duty has been imposed on "cooperative" but not sampled companies, and a 32.1% anti-dumping duty has been imposed on all other Chinese companies. As a result, China's aluminium extrusion exports to the EU will most likely drop in April.

For more information on the China aluminium sector please subscribe to China Aluminium Weekly.