India's aluminium imports rise 7% y-o-y in CY22

India's imports of aluminium were recorded at 8.54 million tonnes (mnt) in calendar year 2022 (CY22) against 8.01 mnt in CY21, up 7%. Exports stood at 4.74 mnt in CY22, a fall of 3% compared to CY21, which was around 4.87 mnt.

Import overview

India's imports of ore or concentrates increased by 7% to 6.09 mnt, while imports of semi-finished products increased by 7% to 257,896 t. Imports of finished products rose by 7% to 446,219 t. Aluminium scrap imports increased by 6% to 1.75 mnt in CY22.

Imports in December were 633,028 t, up from 390,270 t in November, an increase of 62% m-o-m.

The significant rise in aluminium imports is due to increased exports of ores or concentrates from major bauxite producing countries like Guinea and Indonesia which had a positive impact on overall import volumes in CY22.

Country-wise imports

• Exports from Guinea: Export volumes stood at 3.34 mnt in CY22, an increase of 12% from 2.98 mnt in CY21. Guinea, one of the largest producers of bauxite, exported a significant quantity that contributed to the overall volume of India's imports.
  
  
• Exports from Indonesia: Indonesia's export volumes stood at 1.01 mnt in CY22 as against 499,132 t in CY21, up 103%. Shipments also increased in December by 5% from 31,588 t in December 2021.
  
  

Export overview

Exports of aluminium ores or concentrates from India stood at 1.97 mnt in CY22. Shipments of semi-finished products fell by 8% to 2.46 mnt, while finished products fell by 2% to 295,136 t, followed by scrap exports which edged down by 5% from 9,718 t in CY21 to 9,252 t in CY22.

The country's aluminium exports were down 46% y-o-y to 387,850 t in December.

Aluminium exports fell as a result of major importing countries like Malaysia and the UAE decreasing their import volumes compared to CY21. This had a major impact on overall export volumes.

Country-wise exports

• • Imports to UAE decrease: Exports from India stood at 739,600 t in CY22, a decrease of 7% against 795,799 t in CY21. Exports fell sharply by 98% in December from 94,457 t in December 2021.
    
    
  • Imports to South Korea fall: India's exports to South Korea were at 432,898 t in CY22, a fall of 15% from 506,725 t in CY21.