China: Market for Aluminium Casks, Drums, Cans, Boxes and Similar Containers 2025

Market Size for Aluminium Casks, Drums, Cans, Boxes and Similar Containers in China

In 2022, the Chinese market for aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers increased by 0.6% to $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption enjoyed a resilient increase. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Aluminium Casks, Drums, Cans, Boxes and Similar Containers in China

In value terms, production of aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers dropped modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a resilient expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 35% against the previous year. Production of peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Aluminium Casks, Drums, Cans, Boxes and Similar Containers

Exports from China

In 2022, overseas shipments of aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers decreased by -32.8% to X units for the first time since 2016, thus ending a five-year rising trend. Overall, exports, however, showed a resilient expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 96%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X units, and then fell remarkably in the following year.

In value terms, exports of aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers declined sharply to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 103% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then fell markedly in the following year.

Exports by Country

The United States (X units) was the main destination for exports of aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers from China, with a 31% share of total exports. Moreover, exports of aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers to the United States exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Vietnam (X units), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by South Korea (X units), with a 9.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to the United States stood at +20.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Vietnam (+31.9% per year) and South Korea (+37.2% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($X) remains the key foreign market for aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers exports from China, comprising 27% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Korea ($X), with a 9.4% share of total exports. It was followed by Vietnam, with a 9.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to the United States amounted to +16.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Korea (+35.0% per year) and Vietnam (+31.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average export price for aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers amounted to $X per unit, increasing by 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The export price peaked at $X per unit in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Mongolia ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the UK (+7.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Aluminium Casks, Drums, Cans, Boxes and Similar Containers

Imports into China

In 2022, imports of aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers into China dropped to X units, falling by -12.3% on the previous year. Overall, imports recorded a perceptible contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 76% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X units in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, imports of aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers dropped to $X in 2022. In general, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 47%. Imports peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Thailand (X units), South Korea (X units) and the UK (X units) were the main suppliers of imports of aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers to China, with a combined 51% share of total imports. Germany, France, Japan, the United States, Italy and Denmark lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 41%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Italy (with a CAGR of +19.9%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest aluminium cask, drum, can, box and similar container suppliers to China were the United States ($X), South Korea ($X) and France ($X), with a combined 47% share of total imports. The UK, Germany, Thailand, Japan, Italy and Denmark lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 41%.

Among the main suppliers, Italy, with a CAGR of +24.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average import price for aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers stood at $X per unit in 2022, surging by 4.3% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, import price for aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers increased by +37.8% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 22% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per unit), while the price for Thailand ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Denmark (+14.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform