China: Aluminium exports fall over 10% m-o-m in September

The world's largest base metals producer, China, has recently released non-ferrous recyclable commodity export figures for September 2022. Exports have decreased by 12% over the previous month, as per customs data.

During the month, China's aluminium exports were recorded at 582,673 t including ore, scrap, semi-finished, finished long and finished flat products, down 12% from 656,678 t in August.

Break-up of exports

Finished flats export volumes were the highest at 384,846 t, down 10.45% m-o-m, followed by finished longs at 86,827 t (up 2.81%), semi-finished at 24,308 t (down 8%), and ores at 86,637 t, down 25.41% on the month.

The finished flats segment comprised 66% of overall exports followed by finished longs at 14%, semi-finished at 5% and ores at 15%.

Country-wise shipments

In September, Mexico remained the most-preferred export destination for China with total shipments at 41,938 t, down by 21%. Imports by South Korea stood at 33,521 t, down 11%, and Thailand at 26,043 t, down 13%.

On the other hand, shipments to Vietnam and the US were recorded at 29,458 t (down 1%) and 28,599 t (up 1%), respectively.

Meanwhile, India's imports were substantially higher on-month in September, rising 16% to 26,144 t as against 22,502 t in August. India's share of China's total exports was around 4%.

Key factors behind China's lower export volumes in September were weak imports by the top three nations - Mexico, South Korea and Thailand.