Metalnewsnet 1 Apr:

Brazil's aluminum consumption should grow 21% in 2010 to 1.2 million metric tons, which would match 2008's level, Brazil's Aluminum-producers and manufacturers' association, ABAL said Wednesday.

Last year Brazil's aluminum product consumption was just over 1 million metric tons, 10.6% lower than in 2008.

The fall in 2009 consumption ended five years of successive increases, ABAL said.

Consumption recovered gradually during 2009 and rose by 6.3% in the last quarter compared to the same quarter in 2008, said ABAL.

ABAL also reported that Brazil's aluminum exports were worth $3.2 billion last year, 33% less than in 2008, while imports declined 36% to $656 million.

ABAL forecast 2010 exports would likely be worth $4.4 billion and imports $1 billion.

Editor: KylinTse