Brazilian exports of alumina trihydrate (ATH) continued
their upwards trend in 2017, with the latest statistics showing
a 16% increase in the first 11 months of the year against the
same period of 2016.
ATH exports in January-November from the Latin American
producer country reached 794,090 tonnes, compared with 686,826
tonnes a year ago, according to Brazil’s customs
data.
In value terms, the trade this year generated $129.5
million, compared with $109.6 million at this time last year,
marking a growth of 18%.
In November alone, Brazil exported 118,005 tonnes of ATH,
worth $20.7 million.
The latest data points to a continuation of the growth in
external trade – especially to North America
– that was triggered by the closure of two large
production facilities in the US in 2016 – Alcoa
Inc’s Point Comfort plant and Sherwin Alumina
Co’s plant, both in Texas.
In the first four months of this year,
exports to the US rose by almost 150% year on year: the
destination briefly overtook Japan as the single largest buyer
of Brazilian ATH.
US purchasing of the material has continued unabated in the
latter months of this year. In January-November, the country
received 345,000 tonnes, worth $53.7 million. This compares
with a lower 241,642 tonnes worth $37.1 million last year
– a rise of 43% and 46% respectively.
In comparison, exports to Japan to date this year declined
by around 20,000 tonnes (6%) to 375,454 tonnes. The Asian
country has nevertheless regained its position as the largest
buyer in the period, followed by the US.
Latin American markets, namely Argentina and
Mexico, took a further share of trade, with 20,080 tonnes
and 38,382 tonnes respectively. Minor markets include Chile,
Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.
In the full year of 2016, Brazilian ATH exports totaled
737,180 tonnes, amounting to a total turnover of $117.8
million, according to Brazilian trade statistics.
January-November 2017 volumes have already exceeded that.