The Brazilian Aluminum Association (ABAL) discloses its new estimate for 2010 of the domestic consumption of aluminum manufactured products. According to that entity, 1,257.8 thousand tons will be consumed in 2010 against 1,008.3 thousand tons consumed in 2009 – an increase of 24.7%. 

The results of the year’s first quarter confirm the gradual recovery of domestic consumption of aluminum products, as the historical record of 298.8 thousand tons was reached. This volume represents a growth of 32.3% as compared to the first quarter of last year and a 7.6% growth as compared to the last quarter of 2009. See in the table below the aluminum products that were responsible for the consumption increase.

“Since the first quarter of 2009, when the market recorded its biggest consumption fall of the last years, internal demand for aluminum products has been growing continually, quarter after quarter, culminating in a new consumption record for the sector”, affirms Mauro Moreno, coordinator of ABAL’s Economic and Statistics Commission

Sector	2009		2010		Variación 2010/2009(%)
	1st Quarter	Year	1st Quarter	Year (p)
					1st Quarter	Year
Plates ¹	91.6	391.2	115.0	480.0	25.5	22.7
Sheets	15.0	75.8	21.9	90.5	46.0	19.4
Extrusion	45.5	207.7	65.6	265.7	44.2	27.9
Wires/Cables	25.3	88.3	17.8	97.1	-29.6	10.0
Casting	35.2	169.8	51.7	208.2	46.9	22.6
Powder	3.6	25.9	9.6	38.7	-	49.4
Other	3.6	18.0	7.7	38.1	-	-
Total	225.8	1.008.3	298.8	1.257.8	32.3	24.7

(¹) : considers flat plates, coiled plates, circles and blades.
(p) : estimate.
Source: ABAL

Trade Balance
According to ABAL, the exports of the Brazilian aluminum industry increased by 17.9% in the first quarter, totaling US$ 916 million FOB, representing 2.3% of total Brazilian exports. Imports, on the other hand, increased by 30.2%, totaling US$ 224 million. Foreign sales are expected to reach US$ 4 billion and imports US$ 1 billion in 2010.