ArmInfo.The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of aluminum foil from Armenia, Brazil, Oman, Russia, and Turkey that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the governments of Oman and Turkey, the official website of the Commission reports. "As a result of the Commission's affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue countervailing duty orders on imports of this product from Oman and Turkey and antidumping duty orders on imports of this product from Armenia, Brazil, Oman, Russia, and Turkey."
The size of the duty for Armenia is determined at the level of 29.11%, for Brazil - 13.93-63.05% (depending on the type), Oman - 3.89%, Russia - 62.18%, Turkey - 2.28%.
Initially, during the first investigation, it was a question of a possible imposition of a duty of 188.84% for Armenia; during the second investigation, it was already a question of a dumping margin of 45.65%. The final decision was 29.11%. To recall, in October 2020, the US Department of Commerce decided to launch a new anti-dumping investigation into the supply of aluminum foil from a number of countries, in connection with issues related to the competitive nature of the supply. The investigation was initiated after the representatives of the American aluminum foil producers applied to the court. To note, in 2020, Armenia exported about 35.2 thousand tons of foil, providing 7.9% growth (against 15.1% growth in 2019). At the same time, the customs value decreased by 0.4% - to $ 94.7 million. According to the RA Customs Service, the foil was mainly exported to the USA (34.8%), Germany (30.4%), Poland (9.7%), Netherlands (7.7%), Italy (4.1%), Spain (3.7%), as well as France, Czech Republic, Hungary, RF.
According to the Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia, the production of aluminum foil in Armenia in 2020 increased by 16.2% - up to 35.482 thousand tons (against 7.7% growth in 2019). In the first half of 2021 Armenia exported 17.1 thousand tons of aluminum foil, which is 0.7% less than a year ago (against 3% growth a year earlier). However, in monetary terms, the export of foil showed an increase of 19.7% per annum - up to $ 54.8 million. As the data of the Customs Service of Armenia indicate, the foil was mainly exported to Germany (33.9), USA (20.7%) and Poland (13,5%), as well as the Netherlands (9.1%), France (6.8%), Italy (5.2%), Spain (3.9%), United Kingdom (2.3%), the rest the same volume fell on Austria, Israel, Canada, Czech Republic, Hungary and the Russian Federation. According to the Statistical Committee, in Armenia, the production of aluminum foil in the first half of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 decreased by 2.9% (against 13.7% growth a year earlier), amounting to 16.937 thousand tons.
The only producer of aluminum foil in Armenia, as well as in the Caucasus and Central Asia itself, is the Yerevan plant "Armenal" - one of the most modern and ecologically perfect foil-rolling plants in the world. The plant produces hard and soft smooth aluminum foil 0.007-0.200 mm thick, 20-1500 mm wide, container foil for food containers and aluminum tape. The plant was established by RUSAL in May 2000 on the basis of the Kanaker aluminum plant. Since 2003, all 100% of the plant's shares have been transferred to RUSAL. In 2004 - 2006 the enterprise underwent a comprehensive modernization. The production capacity of the enterprise is 40 thousand tons of foil per year. According to the American Aluminum Association, in 2019, the value of imports of aluminum foil to the United States from the aforementioned exporting countries was approximately $ 272 million.
It is not yet clear how the duties introduced in the United States will affect the diversification of supplies of Armenian aluminum foil abroad, but judging by the customs data, in 2021, exports to the United States have already begun to decline, and Germany has become the main buyer instead of the United States.
