China Aluminium Imports Show Slight Recovery as Re-Export Demand Stays Weak

Post by : Saif

China’s primary aluminium market showed a slight recovery in net imports in August 2026, while demand for re-export trade remained weak. Customs data showed that lower export volumes and limited overseas spot demand continued to affect the market.

Primary aluminium imports reached about 186,000 tonnes in August, up 0.2% from July but down 14.6% from the same month a year earlier. From January to August, imports totalled around 1.657 million tonnes, a 3.4% year-on-year decline.

Primary Aluminium Imports Rise Slightly

China’s primary aluminium imports remained relatively weak despite the small monthly increase in August.

Russian aluminium ingots accounted for about 96% of total imports. The general trade import window remains closed, while processing trade orders under customs manuals were described as mediocre.

Imports of aluminium ingots from other countries also continued to decline, leaving Russia as the dominant source of imported primary aluminium.

Aluminium Exports Decline in August

China exported around 22,000 tonnes of primary aluminium in August, according to customs data. This was 30.7% lower than July and 14.7% below August 2025.

For the first eight months of 2026, primary aluminium exports reached about 168,000 tonnes. Despite the sharp monthly decline in August, cumulative exports were still around 9.3% higher than the same period last year.

Net Aluminium Imports Recover

China’s net primary aluminium imports stood at approximately 164,000 tonnes in August. Net imports increased 6.5% month-on-month but remained 14.6% lower year-on-year.

Between January and August, net imports reached about 1.49 million tonnes, down 4.7% from the same period in 2025.

The August increase suggests a modest recovery in domestic net aluminium imports, although overall import levels remain below last year.

Read more: India Moves Closer to Fully Indigenous Aluminium Railway Coach Production

High Aluminium Prices Weigh on Overseas Demand

Overseas electrolytic aluminium markets continue to face a supply gap and falling inventories. However, high aluminium prices have limited buying interest.

Some aluminium ingots held in bonded zones are being re-exported to markets including Japan, South Korea and India. At the same time, exports of Chinese aluminium semi-finished products, manufactured aluminium goods and finished products are helping meet some overseas demand.

Spot trading for electrolytic aluminium remains slow, while spot premiums across Asian markets have moved lower. These conditions have reduced activity in the re-export trade.

Outlook for China Aluminium Imports

Re-export activity is expected to remain weak in the short term, keeping primary aluminium export volumes at low levels.

Overseas spot trading is also expected to remain muted. Imports of Russian aluminium ingots are likely to recover, while cargo already in transit could influence near-term trade volumes.

Despite these factors, domestic net imports of primary aluminium are expected to remain relatively low in the near term. However, the overall trend points toward a gradual recovery in China’s net primary aluminium imports.

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