Prebaked Anode Exports from Guangxi, Shandong and Henan Total 122,140 Mt in April

SHANGHAI, Jun. 13 (SMM) – SMM data indicate that prebaked anode exports from Guangxi, Shandong and Henan totaled 122,140 mt in April, up 49.49% YoY. 72% of the prebaked anode exported in April came from Shandong, 17% was from Henan and the remaining 11% was contributed by Guangxi. Henan registered a 128% surge YoY, followed by a 69% growth YoY in Shandong and a 36% decline YoY in Guangxi. 

SMM believes three factors were behind the appreciable growth in China’s prebaked anode exports. First of all, production cuts at aluminum smelters ate into prebaked anode demand, creating regional prebaked anode oversupply. Second, new aluminum capacity in northwest China was commissioned slower than expected, against expanding new prebaked anode capacity. Third, domestic prebaked anode producers were forced to resort to overseas markets against delayed accounts receivable from domestic aluminum smelters.