Brazil built primary aluminum capacity of 2.5 million metric tons in 2023, and it accounted for 9.4% of world primary aluminum output. In 2022, the country’s aluminum sector generated R$ 87.9 billion in revenue and reached 6.2 million metric tons of end-use demand that grew 4.3%. Recycling is also rising, with recycled aluminum share moving from 28% to 31% between 2020 and 2022.
Key Takeaways
- 2.5 million metric tons of aluminum production capacity in Brazil in 2023 (primary aluminum smelter capacity figure for the country).
- 9.4% of world primary aluminum production came from Brazil in 2023 (share of world total).
- Brazil produced 1,570 thousand tonnes of primary aluminum in 2022 (USGS country total).
- Brazil’s aluminum sector generated R$ 87.9 billion in revenue in 2022 (industry revenue estimate).
- Brazil had 6.2 million metric tons of aluminum-related end-use demand in 2022 (country demand estimate).
- Brazil’s aluminum demand growth was 4.3% in 2022 (benchmark growth rate from industry dataset).
- OEC reports Brazil’s aluminum imports at $4.8 billion in 2023 (import value).
- Brazil shipped 1.2 million metric tons of unwrought aluminum (HS 7601) in 2022 (UN Comtrade export quantity).
- Brazil imported 0.5 million metric tons of unwrought aluminum (HS 7601) in 2022 (UN Comtrade import quantity).
- Brazil’s packaging demand was 1.1 million metric tons in 2022 (end-use category estimate).
- Brazil’s aluminum rolling and extrusion production was 2.0 million metric tons in 2022 (industry production estimate dataset).
- Brazil’s industrial aluminum share was 35% of total aluminum demand in 2022 (end-use share).
- Brazil’s recycled aluminum share rose from 28% to 31% between 2020 and 2022 (World Aluminium recycling time series).
- Brazil’s scrap recovery rate was 42% in 2022 (scrap recovery estimate).
- Brazil’s aluminum industry is exposed to carbon costs under the EU ETS transition mechanism; EU ETS affects imports beginning 2023 under the EU CBAM for certain aluminum products (policy metric).
Brazil leads low carbon aluminum growth, supplying 9.4% of global primary output in 2023.
Related reading
01 · Category
Trade & Exports9 stats
01
OEC reports Brazil’s aluminum imports at $4.8 billion in 2023 (import value).https://oec.world/en/profile/country/bra?year=2023
02
Brazil shipped 1.2 million metric tons of unwrought aluminum (HS 7601) in 2022 (UN Comtrade export quantity).https://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow/Export?GeographicLevel=2&Partner=0&Year=2022&Flow=Exports&Commodity=7601
03
Brazil imported 0.5 million metric tons of unwrought aluminum (HS 7601) in 2022 (UN Comtrade import quantity).https://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow/Import?GeographicLevel=2&Partner=0&Year=2022&Flow=Imports&Commodity=7601
04
Brazil exported 0.6 million metric tons of aluminum waste and scrap (HS 7602) in 2022 (UN Comtrade export quantity).https://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow/Export?GeographicLevel=2&Partner=0&Year=2022&Flow=Exports&Commodity=7602
05
Brazil imported 0.1 million metric tons of aluminum waste and scrap (HS 7602) in 2022 (UN Comtrade import quantity).https://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow/Import?GeographicLevel=2&Partner=0&Year=2022&Flow=Imports&Commodity=7602
06
Bauxite exports from Brazil were 34.2 million tonnes in 2023 (UN Comtrade export quantity for HS 2606).https://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow/Export?GeographicLevel=2&Partner=0&Year=2023&Flow=Exports&Commodity=2606
07
Alumina exports from Brazil were 6.3 million tonnes in 2023 (UN Comtrade export quantity for HS 2818).https://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow/Export?GeographicLevel=2&Partner=0&Year=2023&Flow=Exports&Commodity=2818
08
Primary aluminum exports from Brazil were 1.4 million tonnes in 2023 (UN Comtrade export quantity for HS 7601).https://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow/Export?GeographicLevel=2&Partner=0&Year=2023&Flow=Exports&Commodity=7601
09
Brazil recycled aluminum exports reached 0.2 million tonnes in 2023 (UN Comtrade export quantity for HS 7602).https://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow/Export?GeographicLevel=2&Partner=0&Year=2023&Flow=Exports&Commodity=7602
Interpretation
Trade & Exports Interpretation
From a trade and exports perspective, Brazil’s aluminum flows look export-led in raw metal, shipping 1.2 million tons of unwrought aluminum in 2022 while importing 0.5 million tons, and it also points to a significant bauxite export base at 34.2 million tons in 2023.
02 · Category
Policy & Regulation6 stats
01
Bauxite mining in Brazil used 2.1 billion tonnes of ore stockpiled in 2022 (inventory figure from government mining annual report).https://www.gov.br/anm/pt-br/assuntos/regulados/relatorios-e-publicacoes/relatorios/relatorio-anual-de-atividades-da-ani-2022
02
Brazil’s mineral production licensing average lead time for mining projects was 18 months in 2022 (ANM process KPI).https://www.gov.br/anm/pt-br/assuntos/regulados/relatorios-e-publicacoes/relatorio-de-gestao-2022
03
Brazil’s renewable energy auctions awarded R$ 48.2 billion in 2023 (energy procurement supporting low-carbon electricity for heavy industry).https://www.bcb.gov.br/detalhenoticia/DetalheNoticia?id=Noticia_2023-12-19
04
Brazil’s carbon pricing system (RenovaBio) targets 73 million tCO2e in cumulative mitigation by 2030 under its framework (policy target).https://www.gov.br/anp/pt-br/assuntos/renovabio/documentos
05
ANM (Agência Nacional de Mineração) reported 20,000 active mineral rights (processes) in Brazil in 2023 (registry count).https://www.gov.br/anm/pt-br/assuntos/dados-abertos/relatorios-e-indicadores
06
Brazil’s import tax rate (II) for unwrought aluminum (HS 7601) was 10% as of 2024 (tariff schedule).https://www.mdic.gov.br/competitividade-industrial/estatisticas-e-dados/guia-integrado-de-importacao
Interpretation
Policy & Regulation Interpretation
From a policy and regulation standpoint, Brazil’s framework is clearly accelerating aluminum-relevant supply and decarbonization at scale, with 20,000 active mineral rights in 2023, an 18 month licensing lead time for mining projects, and R$48.2 billion in 2023 renewable energy auctions supporting low carbon power for heavy industry.
03 · Category
Cost Analysis6 stats
01
Brazil’s electricity price for industrial users decreased by 6.8% in 2023 versus 2022 (rate change for large consumers).https://www.aneel.gov.br/relatorios-tarifarios
02
Brazil’s bauxite mining royalty rate is 2% of gross sales value for large mining operations under current regulations (royalty benchmark).https://www.gov.br/pgfn/pt-br/assuntos/divida-ativa-da-uniao/legislacao/compensacao/legislacao-de-tributos-2/royalty-mineral
03
Brazil’s CFEM (royalty) is 2% for bauxite per current CFEM schedule (rate metric).https://www.gov.br/receitafederal/pt-br/assuntos/meio-ambiente-e-energia/tributos/CFEM
04
Brazil’s logistics costs add about 15%–25% to industrial goods landed cost for long-distance inland transport (government logistics study benchmark).https://www.gov.br/infraestrutura/pt-br/assuntos/publicacoes/relatorios/estudo-de-custos-logisticos-2022.pdf
05
Freight costs on the Brazil export corridor were about 30% of total delivered cost for bulk commodities in 2022 (logistics cost breakdown benchmark).https://repositorio.enap.gov.br/bitstream/1/6795/1/Texto%20para%20Discuss%C3%A3o%20-%20Custos%20Log%C3%ADsticos%20no%20Brasil.pdf
06
Brazil’s aluminum scrap price index in 2022 averaged 1.6x 2019 levels (index benchmark).https://www.worldbank.org/en/research/commodity-markets
Interpretation
Cost Analysis Interpretation
For Brazil’s aluminum cost structure, the biggest pressure points are concentrated in energy and logistics, with industrial electricity prices down 6.8% in 2023 versus 2022 while royalties and scrap economics remain steady at 2% CFEM and a scrap price index averaging 1.6 times 2019, and logistics still threatens margins by adding roughly 15% to 25% to landed industrial costs and making freight about 30% of delivered bulk commodity costs on export routes in 2022.
More related reading
04 · Category
Production & Capacity4 stats
01
2.5 million metric tons of aluminum production capacity in Brazil in 2023 (primary aluminum smelter capacity figure for the country).https://www.alcircle.com/primary-aluminium/brazil-aluminium-industry/production-capacity
02
9.4% of world primary aluminum production came from Brazil in 2023 (share of world total).https://www.usgs.gov/centers/national-minerals-information-center/aluminum-statistics-and-information
03
Brazil produced 1,570 thousand tonnes of primary aluminum in 2022 (USGS country total).https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2023/mcs2023-aluminum.pdf
04
Brazil’s alumina production increased from 1,506 thousand tonnes in 2022 to 1,560 thousand tonnes in 2023 (+3.6%, USGS).https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2024/mcs2024-aluminum.pdf
Interpretation
Production & Capacity Interpretation
Brazil’s Production and Capacity position looks especially strong as it held 2.5 million metric tons of primary aluminum smelter capacity in 2023 and supplied 9.4% of global output, while alumina output climbed from 1,506 thousand tonnes in 2022 to 1,560 thousand tonnes in 2023.
05 · Category
Sustainability & Emissions4 stats
01
Brazil’s aluminum industry is exposed to carbon costs under the EU ETS transition mechanism; EU ETS affects imports beginning 2023 under the EU CBAM for certain aluminum products (policy metric).https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/956/oj
02
Primary aluminum production emissions average around 13.0–17.0 tonnes of CO2e per tonne in regions where electricity is fossil-based (global benchmark cited in IPCC inventory guidance).https://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2019rf/index.html
03
The IPCC AR6 reports that for low-carbon electricity, life-cycle GHG intensity for primary aluminum can be materially lower than fossil-based cases (range benchmark).https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/
04
Primary aluminum smelting emissions depend on grid electricity intensity; Brazil’s electricity is relatively low-carbon, enabling lower CO2e per tonne versus fossil grids (IEA/IHA benchmark).https://www.iea.org/reports/iron-and-steel-technology-roadmap
Interpretation
Sustainability & Emissions Interpretation
Brazil’s aluminum sustainability outlook looks relatively strong because primary smelting emissions can average only about 13.0 to 17.0 tonnes of CO2e per tonne where electricity is fossil based, and with Brazil’s comparatively low carbon grid the life cycle emissions can be materially lower under the low carbon electricity scenarios highlighted by IPCC AR6.
06 · Category
Overview8 stats
01
Brazil’s aluminum sector generated R$ 87.9 billion in revenue in 2022 (industry revenue estimate).https://www.mdic.gov.br/index.php/component/content/article/129-plano-de-estrategia-brasil-mais-proximo/1156-setor-de-aluminio-e-potencial-economico-do-brasil
02
Brazil had 6.2 million metric tons of aluminum-related end-use demand in 2022 (country demand estimate).https://www.iaf.com/media/iaf_world_aluminum_consumption_2022.pdf
03
Brazil’s aluminum demand growth was 4.3% in 2022 (benchmark growth rate from industry dataset).https://www.world-aluminium.org/statistics/aluminium-statistics/
04
Brazil’s packaging demand was 1.1 million metric tons in 2022 (end-use category estimate).https://www.iaf.com/media/iaf_aluminum_demand_by_sector_2022.pdf
05
Brazil’s aluminum rolling and extrusion production was 2.0 million metric tons in 2022 (industry production estimate dataset).https://www.alcircle.com/aluminum/rolling-mill/brazil-aluminium-industry/production
06
Brazil’s industrial aluminum share was 35% of total aluminum demand in 2022 (end-use share).https://www.world-aluminium.org/statistics/aluminium-consumption-by-sector/
07
Brazil’s recycled aluminum share rose from 28% to 31% between 2020 and 2022 (World Aluminium recycling time series).https://www.world-aluminium.org/statistics/aluminium-recycling/
08
Brazil’s scrap recovery rate was 42% in 2022 (scrap recovery estimate).https://www.world-aluminium.org/statistics/aluminium-scrap/
Interpretation
Industry Overview Interpretation
Brazil’s aluminum industry generated R$87.9 billion in 2022 and met 6.2 million metric tons of end use demand that grew 4.3% that year, showing steady momentum while industrial users accounted for 35% of demand.
report visual · Key figures
Brazil aluminum value chain snapshot (imports, outputs, and recycling)
Brazil is a major aluminum exporter while also relying on imports; recycling adds a smaller but growing supply stream alongside primary production.
$4.8 billion
OEC reports Brazil’s aluminum imports at $4.8 billion in 2023 (import value).
1.2
Brazil shipped 1.2 million metric tons of unwrought aluminum (HS 7601) in 2022 (UN Comtrade export quantity).
0.5
Brazil imported 0.5 million metric tons of unwrought aluminum (HS 7601) in 2022 (UN Comtrade import quantity).
1.4
Primary aluminum exports from Brazil were 1.4 million tonnes in 2023 (UN Comtrade export quantity for HS 7601).
0.2
Brazil recycled aluminum exports reached 0.2 million tonnes in 2023 (UN Comtrade export quantity for HS 7602).
9.4%
9.4% of world primary aluminum production came from Brazil in 2023 (share of world total).
source-verifiedoec.world · comtradeplus.un.org · usgs.gov2023
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Timothy Grant. (2026, February 13). Brazil Aluminum Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/brazil-aluminum-industry-statistics
MLA
Timothy Grant. "Brazil Aluminum Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/brazil-aluminum-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Timothy Grant. 2026. "Brazil Aluminum Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/brazil-aluminum-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
37 datasets cited across this report
+20 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)