The aluminum ingot market showed a mild recovery, while aluminum billet processing fees remained under pressure [SMM South China Spot Aluminum Daily Review]

Published: Mar 17, 2026 17:20

Save

SMM, March 17:

Aluminum ingot: Today, sentiment in the Foshan A00 spot aluminum market recovered moderately. The rebound in early-session futures prices drove spot prices higher, and suppliers took the opportunity to accelerate cashing out. Traders showed moderate willingness to purchase, while major players held prices firm in procurement, but downstream buyers were unwilling to rush to buy amid continuous price rise. In the afternoon, futures moved downward, buyers turned cautious, and transactions started steady before weakening, with overall performance showing a mild rebound.

Aluminum billet: Today, the average processing fees for SMM 6063 aluminum billet (Guangdong) were 70 yuan/mt for Φ90/100 and 20 yuan/mt for Φ120 and above, down 80 yuan/mt from yesterday. The rise in the base price caused processing fees to continue to decline, while weaker intraday futures prices intensified downstream bearish sentiment, with procurement mainly driven by immediate needs. After futures surged and then pulled back, offers were lowered accordingly. Market inquiries were scarce, transactions were sluggish, and even volume discounts remained ineffective in stimulating deals.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn

For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn

Related News

1 hour ago

China's Major Hubs See Minor Rise in Secondary Aluminum Alloy Ingot Inventory

[SMM Flash] Inventory of secondary aluminum alloy ingots in China's major consumption hubs increased slightly by 40 mt from the previous day today.

1 hour ago

Alumina Transaction: 30,000 mt at $335.5/mt FOB Jamaica, Shipment in May

Alumina Transaction: On March 17, 2026, 30,000 mt of alumina was transacted at a transaction price of $335.5/mt FOB Jamaica, with shipment scheduled for May.

1 hour ago

Geopolitical Tensions Combined With Delayed Expectations for Interest Rate Cuts, SHFE Aluminum Fluctuates at Highs Under Short-Term Pressure [SMM Aluminum Morning Meeting Summary]

[Geopolitical Tensions Combined With Deferred Interest Rate Cut Expectations Leave SHFE Aluminum Under Short-Term Pressure but Fluctuating at Highs] Against the backdrop of continued tightening LME liquidity, LME aluminum still has upward momentum, with strong support from prices outside China, and is expected to maintain a backwardation structure in the short term. China remains in a phase of high inventory coupled with weak fundamentals, and its upward momentum is significantly weaker than that outside China. Amid divergent domestic and external drivers, the SHFE/LME price ratio is expected to continue weakening, and aluminum prices are still expected to fluctuate at highs in the short term.

1 hour ago