Product intelligence · HS 260600 · 2024 data

Aluminium ores and concentrates

Global exports of aluminium ores and concentrates totalled $10,544,191,810 in 2024, a +17.9% change from the previous year. Traded by 95 countries across 758 bilateral corridors, with demand from 116 importing markets. The long-term trend is rapid growth.

Data: OECD BIMTS · Coverage: 19952024 · Updated: 2026-07-17

Global trade

$10.5B

+17.9% YoY

3Y / 5Y CAGR

+21.6%

5Y: +15.5%

Supply structure

Concentrated

HHI 0.552

Volatility

Low

Score 21/100

1.

Market movement

In 2024, aluminium ores and concentrates trade exhibited strong growth, with global flows reaching $10,544,191,810 and a three-year compound annual growth rate of +21.6% (five-year: +15.5%). The all-time peak of $10,544,191,810 was recorded in 2024.

Over the 30-year observation window (19952024), 72% of years recorded positive growth, indicating a predominantly expanding market. Trend momentum is strengthening (+9.5% acceleration).

The World Trade Flows Characterization classifies aluminium ores and concentrates as "One-way trade" in the medium price range price segment, providing additional context for market positioning and competitive dynamics.

2.

Supply & demand structure

The supply side is concentrated (Herfindahl-Hirschman Index 0.552). The three largest exporters — Guinea ($7.7B), Australia ($1.9B), and Brazil ($256.3M) — collectively dominate supply flows. The leading exporter has grown at +34.6% over the last three years.

On the demand side, importer concentration is concentrated (HHI 0.700). The three largest import markets are China ($8.8B), United Arab Emirates ($362.8M), and India ($251.4M). The largest importing market sources from 40 different supplying countries.

The dominant trade corridor is Guinea → China at $6.6B, representing 75.2% of the importer's total demand.

3.

Risk profile & trade outlook

The volatility score for aluminium ores and concentrates is 21 out of 100, classified as low. Trade flows are relatively stable compared to other HS6 products, suggesting mature supply chains and predictable demand.

For market entrants, strong demand tailwinds create a favourable entry environment. The concentrated supply structure suggests high barriers but also potential opportunity if dominant suppliers face disruption or capacity constraints.

Data confidence is rated "High" based on reporting coverage and consistency across OECD member and partner countries.

Historical evidence

Annual trade value 19952024

Peak: $10,544,191,810 in 2024.

YearGlobal trade (USD)YoY growth
2015$3,868,913,242+14.2%
2016$3,016,032,862-22.0%
2017$3,861,180,395+28.0%
2018$4,595,306,385+19.0%
2019$5,127,945,310+11.6%
2020$5,708,239,839+11.3%
2021$5,871,088,678+2.9%
2022$6,220,494,522+6.0%
2023$8,944,917,987+43.8%
2024$10,544,191,810+17.9%

Top exporting countries

Ranked by export value of aluminium ores and concentrates in 2024.

View all 95 exporters →

Top importing markets

Largest import destinations for aluminium ores and concentrates.

View all 116 markets →

Leading trade corridors

Largest bilateral export flows for aluminium ores and concentrates, ranked by value. Click any country to view its full profile.

#ExporterImporterValue 20243Y CAGR
1GuineaChina$6.6B+57.5%
2AustraliaChina$1.8B+16.7%
3GuineaUnited Arab Emirates$341.8M+719.0%
4GuineaIndia$239.9M+15.1%
5TürkiyeChina$142.2M+133.8%
6GuineaIreland$140.8M-23.0%
7GuineaGermany$102.9M-21.1%
8GuineaSpain$97.6M-39.0%

Showing top 8 of 10 corridors with available data for 2024.

Go deeper

Get the full intelligence picture

Interactive charts, AI-powered opportunity scoring, competitor benchmarking, and real-time alerts for aluminium ores and concentrates. Free to start — no credit card required.

Sources, definitions & methodology

Data source

OECD Bilateral International Merchandise Trade Statistics (BIMTS). Aggregated from 312M+ reported trade records across 200+ countries and 5,300+ HS6 product codes. Coverage: 19952024.

Key indicators

HHI (Herfindahl-Hirschman Index): market concentration, 0 = fully diversified, 1 = single player. CAGR: compound annual growth rate over a stated period. Volatility score: trade value variability, 0–100 scale.

How this page is made

All statistical content on this page is data-driven, composed programmatically from live OECD trade records. No generic AI-generated prose is used. Analytical paragraphs combine real data points with factual interpretation. This page was last refreshed on 2026-07-17.