Japan Aluminium Premium May Soar to US$ 83-85/t

Overseas aluminium suppliers and Japanese aluminium users nearly agree to set primary aluminium premium at US$ 83-85 per tonne for shipment during April-June 2008. The premium would rise by almost US$ 20 compared with the previous quarter.The price negotiation started when primary aluminium approached US$ 3,000 per tonne at London Metal Exchange due to productive troubles in China and South Africa. LME aluminium continued soaring to near US$ 3,300 during the negotiation.Overseas aluminium suppliers offered premium at US$ 85 per tonne to reflect strong aluminium market. They keep strong selling stances when global aluminium supply is tightening.Japanese aluminium users are showing strong disapprovals against large hike of premium to over US$ 80. Domestic demand for primary aluminium is weakening mainly from construction markets. Consequently the users aim to minimize the hike range of premium.