Eastern Asia: Aluminium Market 2025

Aluminium Market Size in Eastern Asia

The East Asian aluminium market was estimated at $X in 2022, growing by 2.5% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -1.2% against 2020 indices. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Aluminium Production in Eastern Asia

In value terms, aluminium production expanded slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -3.3% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 39%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Aluminium Exports

Exports in Eastern Asia

Aluminium exports shrank to X tons in 2022, with a decrease of -5.9% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports recorded a deep setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 104%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, aluminium exports reduced to $X in 2022. Overall, exports continue to indicate a abrupt slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 109% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Taiwan (Chinese) dominates exports structure, recording X tons, which was approx. 86% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by China (X tons), generating a 7.7% share of total exports. Hong Kong SAR (X tons) and Japan (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

Taiwan (Chinese) was also the fastest-growing in terms of the aluminum (unwrought, not alloyed) exports, with a CAGR of +22.4% from 2012 to 2022. Japan experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Hong Kong SAR (-3.2%) and China (-26.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Taiwan (Chinese) (+80 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of China (-73.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Taiwan (Chinese) ($X) remains the largest aluminium supplier in Eastern Asia, comprising 76% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by Japan, with a 6.5% share.

In Taiwan (Chinese), aluminium exports increased at an average annual rate of +18.7% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (-23.9% per year) and Japan (+5.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, approximately mirroring the previous year. In general, the export price saw a slight reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the export price increased by 17%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Japan (+6.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Aluminium Imports

Imports in Eastern Asia

After two years of growth, supplies from abroad of aluminum (unwrought, not alloyed) decreased by -12.8% to X tons in 2022. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 33% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, aluminium imports declined to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +89.8% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 64% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then shrank in the following year.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of aluminium imports in 2022 were Japan (X tons), South Korea (X tons) and China (X tons), together amounting to 88% of total import. It was distantly followed by Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), mixing up a 12% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by China (with a CAGR of +6.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Japan ($X), South Korea ($X) and China ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 90% of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, China, with a CAGR of +8.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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 import price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 6.9% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.3%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 42%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in South Korea ($X per ton) and Japan ($X per ton), while Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton) and China ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (+2.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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