Aluminium exports from the Country increased by 36 per cent in 2017-18, aided by global demand, which outstripped supply.
A spurt of 21 per cent in the commodity’s prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME); US sanctions on UC Rusal, one of the largest producers; and over-supply to the domestic market helped exports to rise in the last financial year and the trend is expected to continue in 2018-19.
Figures of the Union Commerce and Industry Ministry show in volume terms aluminium exports rose from 1.22 million tonnes (mt) at the end of 2016-17 to 1.66 mt in 2017-18.
South Korea accounted for the largest export of Indian aluminium products (31 per cent), followed by Malaysia (30 per cent) and the US (11 per cent).
An industry analyst said the uptrend in aluminium exports would continue in this financial year too. “Indian aluminium manufacturers can tap the global markets beyond the US for aluminium and alumina exports. Global aluminium markets will face an under supply, given the current geopolitical context where sanctions continue on Russia’s UC Rusal, the biggest producer of the metal outside China,” he said.
India's production of primary aluminium grew 21 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) in the last financial year, going past the 15.5 per cent rise in 2016-17.
According to a report by CARE Ratings, India's aluminium production is forecast to be stable at 3.42 million tonnes in this financial year.
Source:- dailyshippingtimes.com
