Russia has retained its position as the leading supplier of aluminum to South Korea for the fifth consecutive month, a dominance not seen since 2012. In February 2025, South Korea imported 37,600 tons of raw aluminum from Russia, valued at $105.5 million This represents a year-over-year increase of nearly 40% in physical volume and 1.7 times in monetary terms.
The trend underscores Russia’s growing role in supplying critical materials to South Korea, despite broader geopolitical tensions and Western sanctions. Russian aluminum exports to South Korea have surged over the past year, with metallurgical companies achieving record sales during the first half of 2024. This resurgence followed unsuccessful attempts by South Korean importers to replace Russian suppliers with alternatives.
South Korea’s reliance on Russian aluminum is driven by competitive pricing and high-quality production standards. Russian suppliers have capitalized on their ability to meet demand efficiently, even as global markets face disruptions. Analysts note that this trade relationship highlights the strategic importance of aluminum in industrial applications such as electronics and automotive manufacturing.
