High Temperatures and Low Demand Drive Central China Aluminum Market Discounts Higher

Published: Jul 14, 2026 10:19

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The July off-season, compounded by high temperatures, kept operating rates at downstream processing enterprises in the central China market low, with buying sentiment remaining persistently sluggish. However, wide premiums prompted traders’ hedging sentiment to push up discounts and capture price spreads, resulting in relatively strong buying interest among them. Meanwhile, suppliers’ pronounced willingness to hold prices firm and sell drove the market discounts higher. Ultimately, the actual transaction price range in the central China market centered around a discount of 130-170 yuan/mt against the SHFE aluminum August contract.

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