Recovering consumption extends declines in primary aluminium inventories

[SMM Aluminum Alloy Express] This week, China's social inventory of cast aluminum alloy ingots dropped to 25,900 mt, a decrease of 3,800 mt WoW, with inventories having been destocking for eight consecutive weeks and accumulating a cumulative decline of 37,000 mt. However, the destocking speed slowed further compared to the earlier period. The industry's operating rate remained low, limiting new arrivals into warehouses; meanwhile, spot merchants focused on selling, continuing to drive inventory digestion. However, as the traditional consumption off-season deepened further, overall market demand was weak, placing some constraints on the destocking amplitude.

Today, the trading atmosphere in the central China market remained sluggish. Safety inspections slightly limited the production pace of downstream processing enterprises, and factories showed low purchasing enthusiasm, dragging down overall market buying sentiment. However, aluminum prices consolidated and rebounded, boosting some suppliers' inclination to sell. Suppliers were not keen to hold prices firm, and only large players maintained high premiums. Ultimately, actual transaction prices in the central China market ranged around a premium of -120 to -140 yuan/mt against the SHFE aluminum August contract.