China's Aluminum Wire Exports Drop 8.53% MoM in July 2026, Up 481.79% YoY [SMM Analysis]

August 25, 2026 -

Data shows that in July 2026, China's aluminum wire exports totaled 102,800 mt, down 8.53% MoM and up 481.79% YoY. From January to July 2026, China's aluminum wire exports reached 386,300 mt, up 152.78 percentage points YoY.

Among them, exports of other non-insulated aluminum stranded wire, cable, braid and similar articles totaled 84,600 mt, down 12.23% MoM, accounting for 82.29% of total exports; exports of non-insulated steel-cored aluminum stranded wire, cable, braid and similar articles totaled 18,200 mt, up 13.72 percentage points MoM, accounting for 17.71%.

Pure aluminum stranded wire (HS code 76149000): exports of 84,500 mt, down slightly MoM. For HS code 76149000 (aluminum stranded wire, without steel core), July exports totaled 84,598 mt, down 12.2 percentage points MoM, a decrease of 11,787 mt from 96,385 mt in June. The share of pure aluminum stranded wire in total exports pulled back to 82.3% from 85.8% in June, but has remained above 80% for the fourth consecutive month, indicating that the backlog orders locked in during the export profit window are still being released.

The pure aluminum stranded wire was exported to 81 countries and regions. The top 15 destinations accounted for 80,546 mt, or 95.2% of total exports. Compared to June, the top 15 pattern underwent a clear reshuffle: major former markets such as South Korea, Vietnam, and Japan saw significant pullbacks, while destinations like Montenegro, Malaysia, and Thailand grew countertrend or entered the list.

Steel-cored aluminum stranded wire (HS code 76141000): monthly exports of 18,000 mt. In July, steel-cored aluminum stranded wire was exported to 56 countries and regions, with export concentration declining compared to June: the top ten countries accounted for 13,914 mt, or 76.4% of total exports (89.8% in June). Although Saudi Arabia still ranked first with 4,190 mt (23.0% share), it fell 22.0% MoM, as the concentrated delivery peak of Middle East power grid projects passed. Four countries—Greece, Nigeria, Egypt, and Niger—newly entered the top ten, indicating a diversification of export destinations. The export of ACSR has shown a structural adjustment feature: the Middle East is retreating while Europe and Africa are filling the gap. Saudi Arabia was down 22.0% MoM but still accounted for a 23.0% share, as the delivery peak for Middle East power grid expansion projects has neared its end. Finland surged 122.2% MoM to 1,102 mt, sustaining the purchasing heat for ACSR in the Nordic market; Greece entered the ranking for the first time with 1,089 mt, echoing Montenegro's surge in all-aluminum conductor, reflecting the overall demand for aluminum wire and cable from infrastructure projects in the Balkan and Southeast Europe region. Three African countries—Nigeria (708 mt), Egypt (687 mt), and Niger (526 mt)—newly entered the top 10, indicating that demand for ACSR from African power grid construction is being released.

SMM Comment: Overall, the pullback in exports in July confirmed the direction of "high-level adjustment," but since August, the SHFE/LME aluminum price ratio has shown signs of a slight recovery, and the price spread window between Chinese and overseas markets has opened somewhat, providing new profit margins for ACSR exports. Coupled with some remaining volumes of earlier locked-in orders to be delivered, ACSR exports in August are expected to be more resilient than previously forecast, and the pullback may narrow further. Based on the cumulative 386,200 mt from January to July, combined with the new development of a slightly wider price spread between Chinese and overseas markets in August, H2 exports will feature a pattern of "slow pullback → support at the bottom." Full-year exports are expected to total 530,000-580,000 mt, a significant increase from 2025. Going forward, close attention should be paid to the price spread trend in August and the signing of new orders to verify the sustainability of export resilience.