Australia shipped 2.7mn mt aluminium ore in January, up by 1.7pc from the prior-year period, according to Davis Index analysis. The country is the largest exporter of aluminium ore and concentrates in the world.
In January, exports of aluminium ore and concentrates from Australia rose by 44,929mt from 2.65mn mt a year ago. China, the largest importer of aluminium ore and concentrates, imported the majority of Australia’s ore output. Australia shipped 2.66mn mt of primary aluminium raw material to China in January, up by 4pc or 101,535mt from the prior-year period. The US was another major importer and Australia shipped 36,594mt aluminium ore to the US, down by 60pc or 56,606mt from the prior-year period.
Australia’s exports of unwrought aluminium, however, dropped by 17.5pc or 21,642mt to 102,079mt in January from a year ago. South Korea was the top importer of unwrought aluminium in January up from second top importer in January prior year. Australia shipped 37,602mt of unwrought aluminium to South Korea, up by 11,790mt. Japan became the second-largest importer with 20,320mt in January, a drop of 13,294mt from prior year, also losing its first position. Imports into Japan declined with a drop in auto demand. Imports of unwrought aluminium into the US dropped by 17,501mt to 7,945mt in Jan 2019.