[SMM Analysis: Calm and Steady! The Decline in December Domestic Primary Aluminum Billet Production Was Less Than Expected]
Although the cancellation of export tax rebates for aluminum semis officially took effect in December, coupled with a strong off-season atmosphere in downstream sectors, the decline in operating rates on the supply side of domestic aluminum billets was within expectations. However, due to the sluggish aluminum prices during the month and the influence of multiple factors, demand for aluminum billets remained stable with a weak trend, allowing aluminum billet processing fees to stand firm at high levels, which led some aluminum billet enterprises to increase rather than reduce their operating rates. The daily average production of domestic primary aluminum billets decreased by 2,000 mt MoM to around 47,000 mt/day...
