Japan Premium of Primary Aluminium Rebounds to US$ 60-62/t

Japanese aluminium smelters settled the primary aluminium ingot purchase price negotiation to increase Japan premium price on market price of London Metal Exchange by US$ 4-5 to US$ 60-62 per tonne at CIF Japan for April-June from January-March. The premium price increased for the first time in 6 quarters when the oversupplied international market improved. Japanese buyers are still cautious to purchase large volume of ingot under overvalued primary ingot price, high-level of port inventory and peaked domestic aluminium demand. The international primary aluminium ingot market hit bottom in late January-March quarter under tighter supply when Chinese limited power supply restricts aluminium smelters’ output and the export capacity is decreasing. The premium price for Japanese smelters rebounded for April-June when the international primary aluminium ingot market confirmed the bottom price after recent downward adjustment though the price is still volatile. Japanese trading firms expect Japanese premium price will increase more toward the end of the year when Chinese aluminium supply is expected to decrease for international market due to the government policy.