SMM News, August 28:
1. Overall Export Volume and Price Performance
Customs data showed that China's aluminum fluoride exports in July 2026 were 10,377.44 mt, down 21.01% MoM and down 15.93% YoY. In terms of prices, the average aluminum fluoride export price reached $1,698/mt in July, up 18.41% YoY; compared with $1,482/mt in January 2026, the cumulative price increase this year reached 14.6%.
Although July's monthly export volume pulled back YoY, overall export performance in January-July 2026 was strong. Cumulative aluminum fluoride exports reached 93,932.97 mt, up 26.73% YoY, significantly higher than the same period in 2025.
2. Changes in Export Product Structure
From a product category perspective, exports of anhydrous aluminum fluoride and other aluminum fluoride in July 2026 were split at a ratio of 58:42. Compared with the 91%:9% structure in the same period of 2025, the share of other aluminum fluoride exports surged, leading to a notable adjustment in the export product mix.
In January-July 2026, cumulative exports of anhydrous aluminum fluoride reached 76,799 mt, up 21.5% YoY, accounting for 81.7% of total aluminum fluoride exports and remaining China's main export category. Other aluminum fluoride exports reached 17,134 mt, up 57.1% YoY, significantly faster than anhydrous aluminum fluoride, and accounted for 18.3% of total exports, showing strong market expansion momentum.
Looking at monthly data, the structural divergence in July exports was particularly prominent: anhydrous aluminum fluoride exports were 6,012 mt, down 46.7% YoY, which was the core factor dragging down total exports YoY. In contrast, other aluminum fluoride exports performed strongly, at 4,365 mt, up 313.0% YoY to a record monthly high, partially offsetting the decline in anhydrous aluminum fluoride exports and cushioning the overall export decline.
3. Major Export Destination Markets
In January-July 2026, China's aluminum fluoride export markets were mainly concentrated in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia, India, Malaysia and Australia were the four core export destinations, together accounting for the bulk of exports.
Among them, Indonesia was China's largest aluminum fluoride export destination, with January-July exports of 18,403 mt, accounting for 19.6% of total exports. The country's monthly purchasing demand continued to climb, with imports rising steadily from 2,402 mt in January to 3,826 mt in July. The pace of demand growth closely matched the commissioning and capacity ramp-up of new aluminum projects by local players such as Adaro.
India was the second-largest export market, with January-July exports of 13,977 mt, accounting for 14.9% of total exports and growing steadily by about 15% YoY. Malaysia and Australia followed, with exports of 12,453 mt and 10,963 mt, respectively, accounting for 13.3% and 11.7% of total exports. Diversified overseas demand became an important driver supporting the rapid growth of China's aluminum fluoride exports.
4. Export Outlook
On the price front, China's aluminum fluoride export order prices have continued to rise since the beginning of 2026. According to SMM monitoring and forecasts, export prices in August-September are expected to maintain their upward trend. By contrast, in the domestic market, downstream aluminum enterprises hold a strong sentiment for lower prices, sharply squeezing the domestic sales margins of aluminum fluoride producers. This is forcing producers to adjust their business strategies and expand their overseas market presence, providing support for further export expansion.
Taking into account overseas demand and the market environment, the industry's export orders are currently highly buoyant. Overseas aluminum capacity expansion and production resumptions are jointly driving a continued recovery in aluminum fluoride demand: new aluminum capacity in Indonesia, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia and other countries has come onstream in a concentrated manner. Along with production resumptions at Middle Eastern aluminum enterprises, the pace of overseas aluminum capacity release is accelerating. Overseas purchasing interest has rebounded noticeably, and incremental export orders for aluminum fluoride have increased. In the short term, China's aluminum fluoride export market is expected to remain buoyant; export volumes are expected to mainly rebound MoM going forward, while export prices are likely to maintain their upward trend.
