Latest customs data reveals robust momentum in China’s aluminum foreign trade for February 2026, with downstream semi-fabricated aluminum products posting strong export growth while raw material imports remain elevated, signaling steady recovery in global manufacturing demand.

In February 2026, China exported 430,000 metric tons of unwrought aluminum and aluminum products, representing a 16.7% year-on-year increase. For the first two months of 2026, cumulative exports reached 970,000 metric tons, up 12.8% from the same period last year. This growth aligns with rising global orders for aluminum plates, rods, tubes, precision machined components and fabricated semi-finished goods, supported by improved supply chain stability and competitive pricing.

By contrast, alumina exports totaled 150,000 metric tons in February, down 29.4% year-on-year; January–February cumulative alumina exports stood at 330,000 metric tons, a 17.4% year-on-year drop, reflecting tightened domestic supply allocation and stable regional refinery output.

On the import side, China brought in 290,000 metric tons of unwrought aluminum and aluminum products in February, down 10.0% year-on-year, with the January–February total at 600,000 metric tons, a mild 1.4% year-on-year decrease. Meanwhile, bauxite and aluminum ore concentrates imports remained strong: 16.95 million metric tons in February (up 18.1% year-on-year) and 36.21 million metric tons for January–February (up 18.7% year-on-year), ensuring secure feedstock for primary aluminum smelting and downstream processing.

These trends underscore China’s role as a core supplier of value-added aluminum semi-products. For manufacturers focused on aluminum plates, rods, tubes and precision machining, the export uptick points to expanding opportunities in construction, transportation, machinery and industrial fabrication sectors worldwide. Sustained bauxite import growth also supports stable production capacity and cost efficiency across the aluminum value chain.