In September, China imported 10.02 million tons of aluminum ore and its concentrates, according to the data from the General Administration of Customs. This marked a 23.1% year-on-year increase. From January to September, the cumulative import of aluminum ore and its concentrates reached 106.64 million tons, a 12.8% year-on-year increase. In September, China exported 90,000 tons of alumina, a 0.3% decrease compared to the same period last year. Cumulative alumina exports from January to September reached 930,000 tons, showing a 15.6% year-on-year increase. In September, the import of unwrought aluminum and aluminum materials was 331,716 tons, marking a 63.2% year-on-year increase. The cumulative import from January to September amounted to 2,042,293 tons, representing a 21.5% year-on-year increase.
In September, China produced 3.577 million tons of electrolytic aluminum, a 5.3% year-on-year increase, as per data from the National Bureau of Statistics. Cumulative production from January to September was 30.808 million tons, showing a 3.3% year-on-year increase. In September, China produced 7.072 million tons of alumina, a 1.6% year-on-year increase, and the cumulative production from January to September was 61.706 million tons, a 0.8% year-on-year increase. Aluminum production in September was 5.55 million tons, up 5.7% year-on-year, while cumulative production from January to September reached 46.54 million tons, showing a 5.2% year-on-year increase. In September, aluminum alloy production was 1.261 million tons, marking an 11.3% year-on-year increase, and cumulative production from January to September was 10.472 million tons, showing a 16.0% year-on-year increase.
In September, the weighted average full cost of the aluminum electrolysis industry in China was 15,845 yuan per ton, according to Mysteel's research and calculations. This figure increased by 81 yuan per ton compared to the previous month. Comparing it with the average spot price of 19,540 yuan per ton for aluminum ingots in September, the industry had a profit margin of 3,695 yuan per ton. The rise in aluminum prices exceeded the increase in costs, leading to a month-on-month increase of 805 yuan per ton in the average industry profit in September, which is nearly a 28% increase. Among the various cost components of electrolytic aluminum, changes in electricity and anode costs were minimal, with the increase in aluminum costs primarily attributed to the rising costs of alumina.
In August 2023, the latest report from the World Bureau of Metal Statistics indicated that global refined aluminum production was 5.9058 million tons, while consumption was 5.9075 million tons, resulting in a shortage of 0.17 million tons. The global alumina production for August 2023 was 12.0574 million tons.
Source: https://www.cnal.com/