Primary aluminum production in the Gulf countries totaled 293,000 metric tons in July, down 44% from the same month in 2025, according to preliminary estimates by the International Aluminum Institute (IAI).
Production volumes continue to remain near their lowest level in more than fifteen years due to the impact of the military conflict in the Middle East on plant operations in the region. Two plants in the Gulf countries, which account for about 9% of global primary aluminum production capacity, were attacked by Iran in late March.
However, production has risen slightly from the local low of 274,000 metric tons recorded in April. In May, production totaled 281,000 metric tons, and in June, 276,000 metric tons, according to revised IAI data.
Emirates Global Aluminium reported in August that the resumption of operations at its Al-Tawil plant (Abu Dhabi) following an emergency shutdown in March is proceeding faster than expected. However, a return to previous production levels may not occur until early 2027 at the earliest. The plant, which has an annual capacity of 1.5 million metric tons, is currently operating at approximately 18% of capacity.
Global primary aluminum production in July fell by 1.7% year-over-year to 6.16 million metric tons. In particular, production in China rose by 2.7% to 3.866 million metric tons. In North America, the figure remained unchanged (330,000 metric tons); in Europe, it rose by 7.5% (to 643,000 metric tons); and in Asia, excluding China, it increased by 2.7% (to 422,000 metric tons).
For a more detailed overview of global aluminum production from 1970 to 2024, watch the video on the Experts Club YouTube channel.
According to Experts.news, the price of aluminum rose in the final trading session of the week following several days of heightened volatility amid risks to supplies from the Middle East, changes in Chinese exports, and expectations of a possible easing of U.S. tariffs on Canadian aluminum.
On the London Metal Exchange on August 21, the price of aluminum rose by approximately 1.2% to $3,242 per metric ton. Other market indicators throughout the day showed prices ranging from about $3,230 to $3,250 per metric ton.
Over the past month, the metal has risen in price by about 1.8%, and compared to a year ago, aluminum remains nearly 24% more expensive.
Despite the rise during recent trading sessions, the price has fallen significantly from its early June high. At that time, three-month aluminum on the LME climbed to $3,787.5 per metric ton—its highest level in about four years. By mid-August, the price had fallen to approximately $3,270 per metric ton.
The main reason for the June surge was disruptions in supplies from the Middle East amid the conflict with Iran. Before the situation escalated, Gulf states accounted for about 10% of global primary aluminum production. Additional problems arose at plants that relied on gas supplies.
However, China offset a significant portion of the shortfall. In the first half of the year, Chinese exports of aluminum alloys nearly doubled to 238,500 metric tons, while shipments of semi-finished products increased by 18% to 3.2 million metric tons. At the same time, China’s domestic demand remained relatively weak, while primary aluminum production remained at a level close to historic highs.
Chinese companies are currently operating at the limit of the national production capacity cap of 45 million metric tons per year set by Beijing, which restricts the possibility of further rapid production expansion.
Trade negotiations between the U.S. and Canada have become another factor affecting the market. According to Reuters, the parties have moved closer to an agreement that could potentially lower U.S. tariffs on Canadian aluminum from 50% to 25%. Such a decision could once again increase the appeal of Canadian aluminum shipments to the U.S. and reduce the volume of shipments to Europe.
As a result, the aluminum market is caught between two opposing trends: the recovery and growth of Chinese shipments are capping prices, while geopolitical risks, production constraints, and trade barriers are keeping them significantly higher than last year’s levels.
Earlier, the Experts Club think tank published a short video on global aluminum production from 1970 to 2024. According to the think tank’s analysis, in 2024, China produced about 43 million metric tons of primary aluminum, or approximately 60% of the global total. Next were India—about 4.2 million metric tons, Russia—3.8 million metric tons, Canada—3.3 million metric tons, and the UAE—2.7 million metric tons.
Watch a short Experts Club video on global aluminum production — https://youtube.com/shorts/cVVIjdMZL-w?si=dAUR8Purot4TxLsm
In January–June 2026, Ukraine increased its imports of aluminum and aluminum products by 24.5% compared to the same period last year, reaching $316.841 million.
According to customs statistics, aluminum and aluminum product imports totaled $68.864 million in June.
Exports of aluminum and aluminum products in January–June of this year rose by 28% compared to the same period last year, reaching $90.732 million; in June, they totaled $18.339 million.
As previously reported, in 2025, Ukraine increased its imports of aluminum and aluminum products by 15.3% compared to 2024, reaching $514.098 million. Exports of aluminum and aluminum products in 2025 rose by 22.9% to $152.919 million.
Aluminum is widely used as a structural material. The main advantages of aluminum are its light weight, formability, corrosion resistance, high thermal conductivity, and the non-toxic nature of its compounds. In particular, these properties have made aluminum extremely popular in the production of cookware, aluminum foil in the food industry, and for packaging. The first three properties have made aluminum the primary raw material in the aviation and aerospace industries (though it has recently been replaced by composite materials, primarily carbon fiber). After construction and packaging production—aluminum cans and foil—the energy sector is the largest consumer of this metal.
For a more detailed overview of global aluminum production from 1970 to 2024, watch the video on the Experts Club YouTube channel.
In January–May 2026, Ukraine increased its imports of aluminum and aluminum products by 20% compared to the same period last year, reaching $247.912 million.
In May, imports of aluminum and aluminum products amounted to $58.220 million.
At the same time, exports of aluminum and aluminum products in January–May of this year rose by 25.3% compared to the same period last year—to $72.393 million. In May, $18.641 million worth of aluminum was exported.
As reported, Ukraine increased imports of aluminum and aluminum products by 15.3% in 2025 compared to 2024, reaching $514.098 million. Exports of aluminum and aluminum products in 2025 rose by 22.9% to $152.919 million.
Aluminum is widely used as a structural material. The main advantages of aluminum are its lightness, formability, corrosion resistance, high thermal conductivity, and the non-toxicity of its compounds. In particular, these properties have made aluminum extremely popular in the production of cookware, aluminum foil in the food industry, and for packaging. The first three properties have made aluminum the primary raw material in the aviation and aerospace industries (though it has recently been replaced by composite materials, primarily carbon fiber). After construction and packaging production—aluminum cans and foil—the largest consumer of the metal is the energy sector.
For a more detailed overview of global aluminum production from 1970 to 2024, watch the video on the Experts Club YouTube channel.
Aluminum prices rose on Monday amid reports of Iranian attacks on facilities belonging to the largest Middle Eastern metal producers.
Three-month aluminum futures on the London Metal Exchange (LME) were trading at $3,432.5 per ton as of 11:10 a.m. local time, up 4.1% from the previous session’s close. Earlier in the session, the price rose to $3,492 per ton, its highest level since March 19, approaching a four-year high of $3,546.5 per ton.
Aluminum contracts, the most actively traded on the Shanghai Futures Exchange, rose 3.43% to 24,725 yuan ($3,578.82) per ton at Monday’s market close.
Last Sunday, Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), which operates one of the world’s largest aluminum plants, said it was assessing the damage from Saturday’s Iranian strikes on its facility. In addition, leading Middle Eastern aluminum producer Emirates Global Aluminium reported “significant damage” to production facilities as a result of Iranian missile and drone attacks on the Khalifa economic zone in Abu Dhabi.
Concerns about disruptions to aluminum supplies to the global market arose with the start of the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran. Producers from the Persian Gulf countries, which account for about 9% of global supply, have lost the ability to ship metal through the Strait of Hormuz. Under these conditions, Alba has already begun cutting back production, and damage to its facility could worsen the situation, experts note.
“Attacks on facilities increase the likelihood of prolonged supply disruptions,” states a report by ING Economics analysts. “Supply issues may persist even if geopolitical tensions ease, heightening the risk of rising prices.”
For a more detailed overview of global aluminum production—1970–2024—watch the video on the Experts Club YouTube channel.
In January-February 2026, Ukraine increased imports of aluminum and aluminum products by 15.8% to $86.371 million (in February – $46.957 million).
Exports of aluminum and aluminum products in January-February of this year increased by 14.2% compared to the same period last year, to $22.793 million (in February – $11.063 million).
In 2025, Ukraine increased imports of aluminum and aluminum products by 15.3% to $514.098 million.
Exports of aluminum and aluminum products in 2025 increased by 22.9% compared to 2024, reaching $152.919 million.
Aluminum is widely used as a structural material. The main advantages of aluminum are its lightness, malleability, corrosion resistance, high thermal conductivity, and the non-toxicity of its compounds. In particular, these properties have made aluminum extremely popular in the production of kitchen utensils, aluminum foil in the food industry, and for packaging. The first three properties have made aluminum the main raw material in the aviation and aerospace industries (recently, it has been replaced by composite materials, primarily carbon fiber). After construction and packaging production—aluminum cans and foil—the largest consumer of metal is the energy sector.
For a more detailed overview of global aluminum production from 1970 to 2024, see the video on the Experts Club YouTube channel.
