Jan-Oct’24: US aluminium plates, sheets and bars imports record a 22% hike despite the slower recovery in recent times

Until October 2024, the United States imported 1.03 million tonnes of aluminium plates, sheets and bars versus 842,000 tonnes a year ago. That reflected an annual hike of 22.37 per cent, driven by back-to-back significant import volumes from April to July 2024, ranging between 106,000 and 120,000 tonnes.  From August onwards, imports decreased below 100,000 tonnes, averaging around 93,000 to 96,000 tonnes.

According to the United States Geological Survey, imports of aluminium plates, sheets, and bars increased month-on-month, though they remained below the levels observed in the second quarter of 2024.  In October 2024, the United States aluminium plates, sheets and bars imports stood at 96,200 tonnes versus 94,100 tonnes in September and 77,600 tonnes in October 2023, marking M-o-M increase of 2.23 per cent and year-on-year hike of 23.96 per cent.

From January to December 2023, the United States imported 1.08 million tonnes of aluminium plates, sheets and bars. To match this volume, the US would need to import 50,000 tonnes combined in November and December 2024.