According to data released by the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC), China exported 321,900 tonnes of aluminum plates, strips, and sheets in July 2026, down 9.07% MoM but up 24.33% YoY. Total exports for January-July 2026 reached 2,111,200 tonnes, up 19.64% YoY.
In July 2026, China exported 118,800 tonnes of aluminum foil, down 9.31% MoM and up 8.59% YoY. Cumulative exports for January-July 2026 stood at 801,900 tonnes, up 1.01% YoY.
According to GACC, China imported 16,600 tonnes of aluminum plates, strips, and sheets and 5,500 tonnes of aluminum foil in July 2026. By country of origin, imports of these products mainly came from South Korea and Japan. Specifically, imports of aluminum plates, strips, and sheets from South Korea totaled 11,000 tonnes (66.06% share), and aluminum foil from South Korea totaled 2,400 tonnes (42.66% share); imports from Japan included 3,500 tonnes of aluminum plates, strips, and sheets (21.00% share) and 2,300 tonnes of aluminum foil (41.72% share).
In July, domestic aluminum ingot prices fluctuated upward while traders' inventories kept drawing down and bonded zone stocks edged higher. As the SHFE-LME price gap narrowed, export arbitrage room for aluminum plates, strips, and foil compressed, leading to a mild MoM drop in total exports, though YoY growth remained solid.
In August, the pace of domestic aluminum ingot destocking has slowed, and new export order signings at fabricators have stayed weak. Therefore, the aluminum plate, strip, and foil exports are expected to have remain subdued, dominated by fulfilling existing orders.
Heading into September, the traditional "Golden September, Silver October" peak season will see concentrated restocking by overseas downstream enterprises. Rising aluminum ingot prices will once again highlight the cost advantage of domestic supply, prompting advance raw material stockpiling, while recovering overseas orders in new energy and infrastructure are expected to drive a notable MoM rebound in aluminum plate, strip, and foil exports in September.
Written by Regina WANG
wangjiaqie@mysteel.com
