Salient Alumina Statistics

This table presents key data on alumina production, shipments, stocks, imports, exports, and apparent consumption in the United States from 2018 through 2022, along with global production figures. Alumina, primarily used as a precursor in aluminum metal production and in various industrial applications such as refractories, abrasives, and ceramics, is a critical material for manufacturing and infrastructure sectors. Tracking these statistics provides insight into domestic supply and demand dynamics, trade balances, and inventory levels, which are essential for economic planning, industry analysis, and policy-making.

The data reveal a general decline in U.S. alumina production over the five-year period, with calcined alumina output dropping from 1,000 thousand metric tons in 2018 to 610 thousand metric tons in 2022. Similarly, other alumina production decreased from 810 thousand metric tons to 470 thousand metric tons. Total alumina produced or shipped fell from 1,900 thousand metric tons in 2018 to 1,100 thousand metric tons in 2022. Despite this reduction in domestic production, imports for consumption increased from 1,530 thousand metric tons in 2018 to 1,880 thousand metric tons in 2022, indicating growing reliance on foreign sources. Apparent consumption fluctuated but remained relatively stable, with 2,800 thousand metric tons in 2018 and 2,620 thousand metric tons in 2022. Globally, alumina production steadily rose from 130 million metric tons in 2018 to 140 million metric tons in 2022, highlighting expanding worldwide demand even as U.S. production contracted.