U.S. Exports of Aluminum Scrap Surged 18% in Sep '18

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The U.S. exports of aluminum waste and scrap increased 17.78% through August this year. The exports totaled $1.64 billion in Jan-Aug ’18, as compared with the exports of $1.39 billion during the corresponding eight-month period in 2017, said the latest trade data published by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The top trade partners were China, South Korea, India, Mexico and Canada. China, the largest exporter, accounted for 34% of the total U.S exports. The country’s aluminum scrap exports to China totaled $560.13 million. In second place was South Korea with $219.08 million, followed by India with $168.03 million. The exports to Mexico and Canada totaled $143.94 million and $139.32 million respectively.

The above five destinations received $1.23 billion of aluminum scrap shipped from the U.S, accounting for more than 75% of the total U.S. shipments.

Meantime, the imports of aluminum scrap too recorded 11.42% jump over the previous year to total $756.17 million through August this year.

The leading source of import was Canada. The supplies from the neighboring country recorded 13.36% jump over the previous year to total $433.78 million, accounting for 57.36% of all U.S. imports. Another leading supplier was Mexico, whose exports to the U.S. totaled $209.09 million. The combined supplies from the above two countries constituted 85% of the U.S. imports of aluminum scrap during the initial eight-month period in 2018.

The other key sources of import were Guatemala ($15.32 million), Brazil ($8.07 million) and Venezuela ($7.25 million).