Aluminum demand in the U.S. and Canada (shipments by domestic producers plus imports) totaled an estimated 8.354 billion lbs through the first four months of 2007, off 3.2% from a year ago, according to the Aluminum Association. Apparent consumption (demand less exports) in domestic markets totaled an estimated 7.314 billion lbs, 5.9% below the same period in 2006.

Exports of aluminum from the U.S. and Canada (excluding cross-border trade) totaled 1.985 billion lbs through April, 8.9% higher than last year. Aluminum imports were off 19.1% from a year ago, totaling 1.648 billion lbs in the first four months. Apparent demand for aluminum mill products in the U.S. and Canada (measured in shipments by domestic producers plus imports) totaled 1.362 billion lbs in April, off 8.7% from April 2006.

Demand for aluminum sheet and plate totaled 783 million lbs in April, 7.5% below a year ago, while extruded products recorded a year over year decline of 15% to 339 million lbs. Through the first four months, demand for mill products totaled 5.549 billion lbs, off 6.8% from last year. April shipments of aluminum ingot for castings, exports and other uses are up 14.9% over a year ago to a total of 723 million lbs.

Apparent consumption in domestic U.S. and Canada markets totaled 1.770 billion lbs in April, off 6.6% from April 2006. Producer inventories totaled 3.145 billion lbs in April, off 1.3% from the March total of 3.106 billion lbs.

The weakened U.S. economy isn’t using as much metal as it has in the past.

Through the first four months of 2007, recovery of aluminum from scrap totals 2.121 billion lbs, off 3.2% from 2006. U.S. exports of scrap, not included in the government's consumption statistics, totaled 284 million lbs during April, less than 1% below 2006. Year-to-date, exports of scrap are up less than of 1% over the previous year.

According to government trade statistics, imports of aluminum ingot, scrap and mill products into the U.S. and Canada (excluding cross-border trade) totaled 451 million lbs in April, up 24% over the March total of 364 million lbs. The gain was driven mostly by a 50.8% jump in imports of ingot. Compared with a year ago, aluminum imports were off 24.4% from the April 2006 total of 597 million lbs. Through the first four months, imports totaled 1.648 billion lbs, off 19.1% from the previous year.