Japan Downstream Aluminium Imports Fall 6.2% as UAE Shipments Drop 41.8%

Japan imported 1.36 million tonnes of downstream aluminium products in January–August 2026, marking a 6.2% decline year-on-year. Shipments from the UAE plunged 41.8% to 157,022 tonnes, relegating the country to second place among Japan's major suppliers while Australia took the top spot. Japan's spending on imports from the UAE dropped 31.8% to USD 517 million, whereas suppliers from China and Brazil gained market share.

Published October 27, 2026 Source: Shanghai Metals Market

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Japan imported 1.36 million tonnes of downstream aluminium products between January and August 2026, down 6.2 per cent from 1.45 million tonnes during the same period in 2025, according to trade data published by Shanghai Metals Market. The total drop represented a contraction of approximately 90,000 tonnes, contrasting with stable annual Japanese import volumes recorded over the previous three years.

Shipments from the UAE recorded the steepest decrease among Japan's five leading supplier countries. Volumes imported from the UAE fell 41.8 per cent from 269,815 tonnes in January–August 2025 to 157,022 tonnes in the first eight months of 2026, dropping the UAE from first to second place among the group.

Japanese expenditure on aluminium imports from the UAE contracted by 31.8 per cent, falling from around USD 758 million in January–August 2025 to USD 517 million in the corresponding period of 2026. The decline in procurement expenditure was less severe than the drop in total shipped tonnage.

Australia became Japan's largest aluminium supplier among the top five exporters despite a 7.7 per cent volume decrease from 256,366 tonnes to 236,695 tonnes. In contrast to the UAE, import spending on Australian aluminium rose 16.2 per cent from USD 710 million to USD 825 million, while shipments from China and Brazil expanded their market positions.