China’s aluminium profile shipments to Nigeria surged 1,614% month-on-month in July, making Nigeria the largest destination for the Chinese product during the month, according to data from China’s General Administration of Customs.
Chinese exports of aluminium profiles to Nigeria reached 7,745.23 tonnes, accounting for 8.63% of China’s total aluminium profile exports in July, according to an analysis published by AL Circle under a content and exchange agreement with Mysteel.
The surge came as China’s overall aluminium profile exports reached 89,766.38 tonnes in July, up 6.63% from a year earlier but down 2.36% from June.
Nigeria’s July shipments were followed by Malaysia, which received 7,608.15 tonnes, while Vietnam and Israel received 5,594.03 tonnes and 5,241.67 tonnes respectively.
AL Circle, citing Mysteel’s analysis, said the sharp increase in shipments to Nigeria was driven partly by a low comparison base, alongside demand associated with infrastructure construction in Africa and replacement of windows and doors.
The data offers a snapshot of the growing importance of Nigeria in China’s aluminium trade at a time when Chinese manufacturers are facing changing demand conditions across international markets.
China’s aluminium profile exports were concentrated among a few provinces. Guangdong accounted for 38,294.07 tonnes, or 42.66% of total exports, followed by Shandong with 12,262.21 tonnes and Fujian with 12,221.39 tonnes.
The July trade data also showed a contrasting trend in China’s aluminium profile imports.
China imported 2,467.21 tonnes of aluminium profiles during the month, up 21.55% from June but down 4.92% year-on-year. Taiwan was the largest source, supplying 1,163.62 tonnes, followed by the United States with 332.53 tonnes and Japan with 322.69 tonnes.
US shipments to China fell 31.57% month-on-month, a decline the Mysteel analysis attributed partly to US Section 232 tariffs and tighter trans-shipment inspections.
The report said China’s imports remained focused largely on high-end precision profiles and materials used in electronics and automobile parts, while East Asian suppliers continued to dominate the market.
For exports, Mysteel described July as a period of relatively strong overseas restocking demand, although month-on-month declines from major producing provinces suggested that the traditional seasonal slowdown was affecting orders.
The report also linked weaker demand in some markets to high temperatures and weakness in the real estate sector.
For Nigeria, however, the sharp monthly increase stands out.
The 1,614% rise should be read against the low base, rather than as a 1,614% increase in Nigeria’s aluminium profile consumption over a longer period. Even so, the volume of 7,745 tonnes placed Nigeria ahead of every other destination for Chinese aluminium profiles in July.
The figures also highlight Nigeria’s position as an important market for Chinese manufactured building materials, particularly as construction and infrastructure activity drive demand for products used in buildings, doors, windows and related applications.
The data was reported by AL Circle from figures supplied by China’s General Administration of Customs. AL Circle said the report was published under a content and exchange agreement with Mysteel.
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