Russian aluminium giant Rusal redirects aluminium exports amid Iran war

Russian aluminium producer Rusal (MOEX: RUAL) plans to redirect part of its shipments from China to Japan and other Asian markets.

The move comes in response to the war in Iran, which has disrupted global trade flows and sharply increased price premiums, Caliber.Az reports, citing Reuters.

Sources said that Rusal’s key market may reduce purchases of Russian aluminium in the coming months.

This, in turn, would boost Russian aluminium availability in other markets.

From October through February, exports to China averaged 170,000–180,000 tons per month, according to the agency.

One source explained that the decision reflects the availability of cheaper aluminium on the domestic Chinese market.

“This is unavoidable ​if the arbitrage remains at the current level,” one source said, adding that tensions in the Persian Gulf have also prompted Rusal to increase sales to South Korea.

The company has not disclosed the volumes it plans to sell to China or Japan in 2026.

In March, Bloomberg reported that Japanese auto parts manufacturers had begun talks with Rusal to secure aluminium alloys due to supply disruptions from the Middle East.

South Korean automotive suppliers are also reportedly exploring purchases of Russian aluminium.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov