Brazilian alumina exports rise 62% in August

Brazilian alumina exports grew by 62.24% year on year in August on higher shipments, in particular from northeastern Maranhão state, where the Alumar refinery is located, according to data published by the economy ministry on Monday September 5.

Total alumina exports from Brazil totaled 908,008 tonnes in August, significantly up from 559,668 tonnes in the corresponding period of 2021.

Volumes from Belém port, in northern Pará state, were 516,803 tonnes, up 25.55% from 411,629 tonnes a year earlier. But most of the overall growth came from a 170.43% annual increase in shipments via the São Luís port, in Maranhão, which exported 388,204 tonnes, up from 143,551 tonnes.

The Alunorte refinery, owned by Norsk Hydro, operates in Pará state. Alumar, whose shareholders are Alcoa, South32, Rio Tinto and Alumina Ltd, is located in Maranhão.

During August, export revenues totaled $350.6 million, rising by 119.96% from $159.4 million a year earlier, the ministry said. Average prices on an fob basis were $386.14 per tonne, 35.57% higher than $284.82 per tonne in August last year.

Fastmarkets calculated its alumina index, fob Australia at $325.98 per tonne on Monday, up by 0.11% from $325.63 per tonne on September 2. It averaged $329.08 per tonne in August, an 8.57% increase from $303.10 per tonne the year before.

Fastmarkets’ alumina index inferred, fob Brazil was calculated at $360.93 per tonne on Monday, up by 0.10% from $360.58 per tonne on September 2.

The inferred index was at $365.63 per tonne on average during August, 13.46% higher than $322.25 per tonne in the corresponding period of 2021.

Brazilian exports of bauxite totaled 369,261 tonnes in August, falling by 16.72% from 443,417 tonnes one year earlier, according to the ministry’s data.

What to read next
The recent doubling of Section 232 tariffs to 50%, announced by President Trump, has introduced significant uncertainty to the US steel market, with traders reporting disruptions to imports, paused domestic mill quotes and concerns over potential price increases amid modest demand. Industry participants are now assessing how the additional costs will be absorbed across the supply chain.
Fastmarkets has corrected its fob Australia alumina index, which was published incorrectly on Monday June 2 and Tuesday June 3 due to a back-end calculation error. Fastmarkets has also corrected all the related inferred indices. On June 2 the following prices were published incorrectly: Fastmarkets’ MB-ALU-0002 Alumina index, fob Australia, was published in error as $375.59 per […]
Mexico’s strategic role in automotive nearshoring is fueling demand for recycled aluminium, with investment in scrap-intensive sectors boosting its non-ferrous secondary markets. Despite tariff uncertainties, USMCA compliance and EV production growth continue to attract global manufacturers.
Goldcorp founder Rob McEwen is back in the spotlight with a bold bet on copper in Argentina. The $2.5 billion Los Azules project, set to become Argentina’s first major copper mine in over 30 years, is reshaping the country’s mining industry while raising sustainability standards. Positioned as a key player in addressing a global copper shortage, the project highlights innovation, persistence and a commitment to meeting the growing demand from global electrification.
The data for May 30 was published on Fastmarkets’ dashboard on June 2 as a result. For more information, or to provide feedback on the delayed publication of this assessment, or if you would like to provide information by becoming a data submitter to the Shanghai bonded aluminium stocks database, please contact Zachary Tia by […]
Fastmarkets has launched MB-NI-0257, high-grade nickel matte payable indicator, 65-75% nickel contained, cif China, % of official exchange price on Friday May 30.