May 22, 2026:
Customs data showed that China's aluminum wire exports totaled 27,580 mt in April 2026, up 4.7 percentage points MoM and up 28.95 percentage points YoY. From January to April, China's aluminum wire exports totaled 107,200 mt, up 29.35 percentage points YoY. (HS codes: 76141000, 76149000)
By sub-category, HS code 76141000 mainly covers steel-core aluminum stranded wire, with April exports totaling 12,000 mt, down 34.4 percentage points MoM; HS code 76149000 mainly covers aluminum stranded wire, with April exports totaling 15,500 mt, surging 94.5 percentage points MoM. In terms of share, aluminum stranded wire typically accounts for 30%-40% of total exports, but as the price spread between domestic and overseas markets widened, export orders for pure aluminum stranded wire increased significantly, with its export share rising to 56.4% in April. As the price spread between domestic and overseas markets is expected to persist, export orders for pure aluminum stranded wire are expected to grow favorably, with aluminum stranded wire exports in May expected to exceed 20,000 mt, potentially accounting for over 60% of aluminum wire exports.
Based on April customs data, aluminum stranded wire (without steel core) was exported to a total of 68 countries, with the top 15 countries accounting for 13,660 mt in total, or 87.8%, indicating a relatively concentrated export destination profile. Among the top 15 countries, Southeast Asia was the primary export region, with 4 countries accounting for 4,525 mt (33.1%); Africa ranked second, with 5 countries accounting for 4,189 mt (30.6%); East Asia mainly comprised exports to developed countries South Korea and Japan, totaling 3,367 mt (24.6%); South America involved 3 countries, with exports totaling 1,276 mt (9.3%).
Overall, China's aluminum wire exports in May are expected to sustain growth momentum, mainly boosted by domestic aluminum stranded wire orders. Based on enterprise production schedules, aluminum stranded wire export orders from May to July are expected to continue ramping up, with pure aluminum stranded wire (without steel core) monthly exports expected to exceed 20,000 mt; meanwhile, steel-core aluminum stranded wire exports are expected to remain stable due to power grid construction demand in Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America. In summary, China's total aluminum wire exports in May are expected to set a new single-month record for the past five years.
