China’s customs data for November 2025 reveals key insights into the non-ferrous metals trade. The country exported 570,000 metric tons of unwrought aluminum and aluminum products last month. The cumulative export volume for the first eleven months of the year reached 5.589 million metric tons, representing a 9.2% year-on-year contraction.

This ongoing adjustment in export volumes reflects a complex interplay of global and domestic factors. While month-to-month fluctuations occur, the sustained annual decline suggests evolving trade dynamics, potentially influenced by global inventory cycles, international trade policies, and shifts in overseas manufacturing demand for semi-finished aluminum products.

In a related sector, China imported 427,000 metric tons of unwrought copper and copper products in November, bringing the January-November total to 4.883 million metric tons, a 4.7% decrease from the same period last year. Conversely, imports of copper ore and concentrate stood at 2.526 million tons in November, contributing to a robust year-to-date total of 27.614 million tons, an 8.0% increase. This divergence highlights stronger upstream raw material demand against a backdrop of moderated finished product imports.

For downstream fabricators and machining specialists, these trade flows underscore the importance of a stable and diversified supply chain. The data indicates a market in recalibration, where quality, specification precision, and reliable supply of processed materials like aluminum plate, bar, and tube become even more critical for maintaining competitive advantage in both domestic and international projects.