US aluminium plates, sheets and bars imports record M-o-M drop of 4.6% in Nov’23, but imports from S. Korea grow by 19%

The United States' aluminium plates, sheets and bars imports from January to November 2023 totalled 916,000 tonnes, experiencing a year-on-year fall of 33.14 per cent from 1.37 million tonnes, found the US Census Bureau data.

In November, the United States imported 74,000 tonnes of aluminium plates, sheets and bars, down by 3,600 tonnes or 4.64 per cent from 77,600 tonnes in October 2023. On an annual basis, the imports plummeted by 41,000 tonnes or 35.65 per cent from 115,000 tonnes.

It is to be noted in the above graph that November 2023 was another alternative month to have witnessed a fall in the United States' aluminium plates, sheets and bars imports. Post April 2023, the US imports of aluminium plates, sheets and bars experienced a downfall in every alternate month. In May, the imports decreased by 4.98 per cent M-o-M to 85,900 tonnes, then in July, decreased by 9.1 per cent M-o-M 78,900 tonnes, followed by a decline of 15.25 per cent in September and 4.64 per cent in November.

Canada continued to be the highest exporter but reduced its supply volume to 11,800 tonnes in November compared to 15,500 tonnes in the previous month. That indicated a month-on-month decline of 3,700 tonnes or 23.87 per cent, according to USGS data. On a year-on-year calculation, Canada's aluminium plates, sheets and bars exports registered a plunge of 61.56 per cent from 30,700 tonnes.

From January to November, Canada's aluminium plates, sheets and bars exports to the United States amounted to 187,000 tonnes, down by 6.97 per cent from 201,000 tonnes.

South Korea was the second-highest exporter but competed closely with Canada. South Korea's aluminium plates, sheets and bars exports to the US increased by 19 per cent month-on-month, reaching 11,700 tonnes in November. On a year-on-year basis, the exports experienced a leap of 213.67 per cent from 3,730 tonnes. 

But despite the M-o-M and Y-o-Y jump in November, South Korea's total aluminium plates, sheets and bars exports to the United States until November 2023 edged a 22.29 per cent fall from 107,000 tonnes to 87,500 tonnes.