OREANDA-NEWS  In the first half of this year, China and South Korea increased their purchases of Russian aluminum by almost half year–on-year, and the EU also increased imports, although significantly less, according to an analysis by RIA Novosti of data from national statistical services.

For example, China, the main importer of Russian raw aluminum, purchased it for $3 billion in the first half of the year, compared with $1.8 billion a year earlier.

South Korea, which has become one of the most significant aluminum markets for Russia in recent years, increased imports to $632.6 million from $365.85 million a year ago.

At the same time, the European Union, which imposed sanctions against Russian aluminum at the beginning of this year, also slightly increased its purchases – by 6% in the first five months of this year, to $ 403 million.