Overview of import and export data for Chinese aluminium industry chain

According to customs data: In July, China’s export volume of primary aluminium reached 22,700 mt, showing an increase of 200% YoY. From January to July 2023, the total domestic export volume of primary aluminium reached 80,300 mt, showing a decrease of 56% YoY. (The above import and export data is based on HS codes 76011090 and 76011010).
In July, China exported a total of 161,800 mt of prebaked anodes, showing a decrease of 0.42% MoM and a decrease of 21.63% YoY. Roughly calculated, the average export unit price of prebaked anodes in July was approximately $768.14/mt, representing a 4.89% decrease MoM and hitting a new low within the past two years. From January to July 2023, China's cumulative export volume of prebaked anodes reached 1.0421 million mt, showing a decrease of 14.81% YoY.

In July, China’s export volume of aluminium sheets and strips reached 228, 000 mt, showing a 2%increase MoM, but a 37% decrease YoY. The export volume maintained a narrow fluctuation trend.
In July, China's export volume of aluminium extrusion (HS codes 76041010, 76041090, 76042100, 76042910, 76042990) was 89,500 mt, showing an increase of 100 mt or 0.15% MoM. However, it represented a decrease of 4.11% YoY.
In July, China's export volume of aluminium foil was 107,900 mt, showing a 1% increase MoM, but a 25% decrease YoY.
In July, China exported a total of 75,500 mt of aluminium wheels, with a decrease of 5% MoM and a decrease of 6% YoY.

According to the General Administration of Customs of China, in July 2023, China imported a total of 12.91 million mt of bauxite, representing an increase of 11.66% MoM and an increase of 21.90% YoY. In terms of country of origin, imports from Guinea amounted to 9.186 million mt, with an increase of 13.03% MoM and an increase of 54.73% YoY. Imports from Australia reached 3.3103 million mt, showing an increase of 11.11% MoM and an increase of 5.09% YoY. Imports from Brazil amounted to 198,800 mt, from Malaysia 168,500 mt, from Ghana 41,000 mt, and from Guyana 5,800 mt.
In July, the import volume of alumina was 129,300 mt, representing a decrease of 18.17% YoY and an increase of 194.86% MoM. From January to July 2023, the cumulative import volume was 888,700 million mt, showing a decrease of 15% YoY. The significant MoM increase in import volume is mainly due to the continuous decline in overseas alumina prices in the first half of 2023, with the price of alumina from Western Australia dropping from $370/mt at the beginning of the year to $330/mt at the end of the second quarter. This has enhanced the enthusiasm of traders for import activities, resulting in an overall upward trend in alumina imports.
In July, the total import volume of primary aluminium was 116,600 mt, representing a growth of 128.40% YoY. From January to July 2023, the total domestic import volume reached 602,000 mt, showing a growth of 142% YoY. Among them, the import volume of unwrought non-alloyed aluminium with aluminium content less than 99.95% was 602,021,092 kg. The import volume of unwrought non-alloyed aluminium with aluminium content greater than or equal to 99.95% was 223,768 mt.
In July, the import of aluminium scrap was 148,400 mt, experiencing a slight decrease of 0.95% YoY, and a decrease of 8.76% MoM. From January to July 2023, the cumulative import of aluminium scrap reached 969,800 mt, showing a growth of 24.29% YoY.