Aluminium demand in North America up 2.1 per cent YoY through July; Exports up while imports were off

Preliminary estimates from the Aluminum Association indicate that aluminium demand in the United States and Canada (shipments by domestic producers plus imports) totalled an estimated 7.4 million tonnes through July 2018, up 2.1 per cent over the same period of 2017. Demand for semi-finished (mill) products for the same period totalled 5.3 million tonnes, up 2.5 per cent. Apparent consumption (demand less exports) in domestic markets totalled an estimated 14,361 million pounds, slightly up year-over-year.

Exports of aluminium ingot and mill products from the U.S. and Canada (excluding cross-border trade) totalled 894 thousand tonnes through the first seven months of 2018, up 15.2 per cent over like-2017, while imports were off 6 per cent to 2.35 million tonnes.

Demand for aluminium semi-fabricated (mill) products in the United States and Canada (measured in shipments by domestic producers plus imports) totalled an estimated 342 thousand tonnes in July, slightly up over July 2017.

Shipments of aluminium sheet and plate totalled 417 thousand tonnes, slightly up YoY. Extruded product shipments increased 5.7 per cent YoY to 223 thousand tonnes. Estimated shipments of aluminium ingot for castings, exports and other uses were up 8.3 per cent YoY to 231 thousand tonnes in July. Apparent consumption in domestic U.S. and Canadian markets were slightly up YoY to 859 thousand tonnes in July. Through the first seven months of 2018, apparent consumption was almost flat in comparison to YTD 2017.  

Producer inventories totalled 1.5 million tonnes in July, an increase of 2.9 per cent over the June 2018 revised level of 1.47 million pounds. Compared to a year ago, YoY, producer inventories were up 12.6 per cent.

The Association’s “Index of Net New Orders of Aluminum Mill Products” for August 2018 increased 5.9 per cent over July 2018. Orders for flat roll products (sheet, plate, can stock and foil) rose 2.8 per cent, while orders for extruded products increased 22.5 per cent. Compared to August 2017, total orders rose 1.5 per cent YoY. On average, orders recorded by domestic producers through August 2018 were up 4.6 per cent over YTD 2017.