Global alumina imports and exports 2005-2021

Global exports of alumina increased from 30 million metric tons in 2005 to over 40 million metric tons by the end of 2021.

Alumina and aluminum

Alumina is the common name for aluminum (III) oxide. It is a mineral that is used to produce aluminum metal. Aluminum ranks number one in the consumption volumes among all base metals, and is expected to strengthen its dominant position as a key structural material in the coming years. China continues to drive the increasing global demand for aluminum. The country made up more than half of the primary aluminum consumption worldwide in 2021, fourfold the share of the second-placed Middle East. China was also the largest aluminum smelter producer worldwide by a wide margin.

Global alumina trade

Global exports of alumina showed a mostly increasing tendency until 2015, before starting to experience an overall decline. Import trends, however, have shown an unpredictable fluctuation. As of 2020, Chalco, based in China, was the world’s largest alumina producer. The United States-based Alcoa was the second largest alumina producer that year.