January 23, 2026
Customs data shows that China's aluminum wire and cable exports reached 30,400 mt in December 2025, down 8.7% MoM but up 13.96% YoY. Full-year aluminum wire and cable exports in 2025 totaled 279,000 mt, up 42.91% YoY from 195,000 mt in 2024. In December, exports of aluminum steel core stranded wire reached 20,800 mt, accounting for 69% of the total, while other aluminum strand wire exports stood at 9,500 mt, making up 31%. For the full year of 2025, aluminum steel core stranded wire accounted for 63% of total exports, with other aluminum strand wire comprising 37%. (HS codes: 76141000, 76149000)
The rapid growth in aluminum wire and cable exports in 2025 was mainly driven by the accelerated advancement of new energy projects and power grid construction worldwide. For example, Australia’s *National Clean Energy Target Act* and *National Grid Modernization Plan* provided institutional safeguards and clarified buyer demand. Combined with the approval of 12 new energy projects by the local government in 2024, this led to a peak in power grid project construction in 2025, spurring a surge in local demand. At the same time, Tanzania in Africa also introduced corresponding policies such as the *National Energy Transition Plan* and *Rural Electricity Coverage Plan*, which concentrated the implementation of projects expected in 2024 into 2025, driving significant growth in local demand.
In 2025, aluminum wire and cable exports by region showed a pattern of “leading provinces dominating, low-base provinces growing rapidly, and some regions pulling back.” Jiangsu ranked first with exports of 122,800 mt, accounting for 44.02% of the total and up 56.11% YoY, continuing to lead growth. Henan followed with 54,750 mt, a YoY growth rate of 47.24%. Together, these two provinces accounted for over 60% of total exports, serving as the core engines of export growth. In terms of growth rates, low-base provinces such as Xinjiang (597.44% YoY) and Jiangxi (1,198.59% YoY) showed significant increases, emerging as new potential regions. Overall, leading provinces demonstrated strong stability and contributed notably to incremental growth, while low-base provinces in central and western China posted impressive growth rates. However, attention is needed on the transformation of growth momentum in some traditional exporting provinces.
SMM Brief Comment: Overall, China's aluminum wire and cable exports showed strong growth momentum in 2025, with a YoY increase of 42.9% and significant demand expansion. Overseas countries' efforts to meet renewable energy policy targets have driven continuous increases in demand through new energy installations and power grid construction, supporting China's aluminum wire and cable exports. Looking ahead to 2026, as new energy projects in Southeast Asia enter a concentrated commissioning phase and new energy projects such as PV and wind power in countries like Australia are gradually implemented, aluminum wire and cable exports are expected to maintain positive growth in 2026.
