Prebaked Anode Prices Likely to Drop Sharply in May

SHANGHAI, Apr 24 (SMM) - Prebaked anode prices were stable last week. The SMM prebaked anode prices stood between 5,375-7,100 yuan/mt in east China and 5,825-6,195 yuan/mt in north-west China. The April benchmark purchase price of a major aluminium smelter in Shandong was 5,375 yuan/mt.

The operating rates of prebaked anode producers were temporarily stable, and some producers intend to trim their production to tackle poor profitability.

Aluminium smelters in Sichuan, Guizhou and Guangxi have resumed production, but the capacity release was limited. And smelters in Yunnan are at risk of another round of power rationing as the local power shortages may escalate, which could threaten prebaked anode demand.

SMM sees sharp decline in prebaked anode prices next month.