Japan’s aluminium industry in 2024 has been a tale of two contrasting trends—rising primary aluminium imports but weakening domestic demand. While imports grew by 1.9 per cent to 1.05 million tonnes, domestic consumption continued to decline, especially in key sectors such as construction and automotive.
Changing import dynamics
Japan’s import landscape saw significant shifts in 2024. Australia remained the country’s top supplier, exporting nearly 300,000 tonnes and accounting for over 28 per cent of total imports. Brazil followed with 170,000 tonnes, representing 16 per cent of imports. However, the most striking changes were in shipments from the UAE and India, which increased sharply, offsetting the steep drop in Russian supplies.
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