Canada's aluminium imports and exports drop by 3% and 5% in CY'22

Canada's imports of aluminium were recorded at 8.94 million tonnes (mnt) in 2022 against 9.26 mnt in 2021, down 3%. On the other hand, aluminium exports by Canada stood at 3.89 mnt in CY'22, an decrease of 5% compared to 4.08 mnt in CY'21.

Imports overview

Out of total imports, ore/concentrates decreased by 4% to 79,52,456 t, semi-finished products increased by 12% to 172,263 t, and finished products remained largely stable at 696,540 t. Aluminium scrap imports increased by 42% to 132,029 t in CY'22.

Canada's aluminium imports in December were 702,377 tonnes (t), down from 753,735 t in November, or 7% m-o-m.

The overall imported quantity in December was down 9% y-o-y from 775,668 t in December 2021.

Country-wise imports

• Shipments from Brazil increase: Brazil exported 6.18 mnt in CY'22, an increase of 5% from 5.9 mnt in CY'21. However, volumes decreased by 20% y-o-y from 527,362 t in December 2021.
  
  
• Imports from Guinea down: Guinea's export volumes fell to 1.11 mnt in CY'22 as against 1.71 mnt in CY'21, down 35%. Shipments were stable in December at 124,406 t compared to 123,700 t in the year-ago month.
  
  
• Imports from US increase: US exports to Canada rose by 12% to 632,918 t in CY'22 from 563,848 t in CY'21. The y-o-y volumes also inched up by 4% from 39,227 t in December 2021.
  
  

Exports overview

Exports of aluminium ores/concentrates from Canada stood at 109,394 t in CY'22, a sharp decrease of 54% from 235,613 t in CY'21. Exports of semi-finished products fell by 2% to 2.70 mnt. But finished products exports rose by 8% to 458,083 t followed by scrap, which was largely stable at 634,707 t in CY'22.

Total exports of aluminium in December were 369,749 t, up 11% from 333,413 t in November.

The country's aluminium exports rose by 35% y-o-y to 369,749 t in December. In 2022 there was an overall decline in the production of aluminum in Canada due to reduced output at the Kitimat smelter in British Columbia owned by Rio Tinto and Alcoa Corporation.

Country-wise exports

• Imports by US increase: Exports from Canada to the US stood at 3.52 mnt in CY'22, largely stable with a slight increase of 1%. Export volumes were up 36% in December at 320,241 t from 235,116 t in December 2021.
  
  
• Exports to Mexico rise: Canada's exports to Mexico stood at 103,623 t in CY'22, a decrease of 19% from 127,641 t in CY'21.
  
  
• Exports to Hong Kong: Exports from Canada to Hong Kong in CY'22 stood at 49,057 t. Exports stood at 4,842 t in December.