On the supply side, northern alumina refineries are affected by tight ore supply and environmental protection inspections.
On the demand side, driven by high profits, aluminium smelters maintain strong alumina demand. However, since four aluminium smelters in Yunnan province are estimated to cut 1.15 million mt of capacity, this could threaten 2.21 million mt of alumina demand.
Currently, spot alumina market in north China is facing a slight shortfall, while that in southwest China is temporarily in a tight balance.
