en.Wedoany.com Reported - The International Aluminium Institute (IAI) released data on July 20, 2026, showing that global primary aluminium production reached 36.418 million tonnes in the first half of 2026. The institute also reported that global primary aluminium production in June 2026 was 5.98 million tonnes, with an average daily output of 199,300 tonnes.
Founded in 1972, the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) is the sole representative body for the global primary aluminium industry, with members covering major bauxite, alumina, and primary aluminium producers worldwide. Its production data is widely regarded as a key reference indicator for the global aluminium supply-demand landscape.
On a monthly basis, global primary aluminium production in May 2026 was 6.15 million tonnes; June output saw a slight month-on-month decline of 2.8%, primarily due to supply disruptions in the Middle East. According to IAI disclosures, the Gulf region accounts for approximately 9% of global primary aluminium capacity, with production in June 2026 reaching 332,000 tonnes, down by about one-third from 507,000 tonnes in the same period last year. Two major smelters in the region were attacked during the Middle East conflict in late March 2026, leading to production interruptions and blocked export channels. Average daily output in the Gulf region was approximately 11,000 tonnes in June, well below the pre-conflict baseline of about 17,800 tonnes per day. Emirates Global Aluminium's (EGA) Al Taweelah smelter resumed production faster than expected after an emergency shutdown, but full recovery to previous levels is estimated to take about a year.
In terms of global average daily output, global primary aluminium daily production in June 2026 was approximately 199,300 tonnes, a slight increase of 0.3% from May. Considering that May had one more calendar day than June, the actual improvement in production momentum was limited. According to IAI data, aluminium production in the Gulf region in 2025 was approximately 6.5 million tonnes. Aluminium products from the region account for about 15% of EU imports and about 20% of US imports. Previously released IAI data showed that daily aluminium output in the Gulf region in April 2026 had already declined by 26.7% from March, falling to 10,989 tonnes per day.
The IAI's latest data on global primary aluminium production for the first half of 2026 indicates that despite supply disruptions in the Gulf region due to geopolitical conflicts, global aluminium output has remained relatively stable. However, the sustained low production levels in the Gulf region continue to impact the global aluminium supply landscape, and the pace of subsequent production resumption remains a key focus for the market.
