BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 16. The conflict in the
Middle East has had a significant impact on the global aluminum
market, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).


In its “Global Critical Minerals Market Review 2026” report, the
IEA said several aluminum production facilities in the Middle East
were damaged during the conflict. Combined with disruptions to
shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the damage affected global
aluminum trade.


According to the IEA, Middle Eastern countries account for about
8% of global primary aluminum production.


“Before the conflict, the region supplied more than 10% of
aluminum imports to the European Union, Japan, South Korea and
Mexico, as well as nearly 20% of imports to the United States.
Regional facilities are key producers of high-purity aluminum used
in the aerospace and defense industries. Against the backdrop of
about 7% growth in global aluminum demand between 2023 and 2025 and
constrained supply, the market experienced declining inventories.
Aluminum stocks on the London Metal Exchange (LME) fell from more
than 1 million metric tons in June 2024 to about 350,000 metric
tons in June 2025.


“After the conflict began, the world’s largest aluminum smelter
outside China, Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), was operating at about 30%
of capacity in April 2026 after declaring force majeure and
shutting down three production lines. Qatar’s Qatalum, meanwhile,
was operating at about 60% of capacity after declaring force
majeure because of disruptions to gas supplies,” the report
said.







The IEA added that Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) and Emirates Global
Aluminium’s Al Taweelah facilities were also damaged in strikes at
the end of March.


“The Al Taweelah plant was forced to suspend operations because
of damage to energy infrastructure,” the report said.


“In April 2026, global aluminum prices climbed to nearly $3,700
per metric ton, the highest level in four years. At the same time,
the Rotterdam premium increased by about 60% between February and
April 2026. Prices for green petroleum coke, used in aluminum
production, rose by about 35% over the same period,” the IEA
said.