The global aluminum market is shifting from a chronic oversupply to a severe shortage

Published: Sep 22, 2025 09:21

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【SMM Aluminium Flash News】The global aluminum market is shifting from a chronic oversupply to a severe shortage. Citigroup warns that the market is "sleepwalking into its largest deficit in 20 years," predicting that prices must rise from the current $2,700 per ton to over $3,000 and remain elevated to avoid global metal depletion. LME inventory levels are a cause for concern, with total inventories hovering around 700,000 tons since May, a significant decrease from 1 million tons in the same period last year and 3 million tons four years ago. Exchange liquidity has also declined significantly. Demand continues to strengthen, with rapidly growing demand for aluminum from the new energy and electric vehicle industries providing strong support for global consumption and exacerbating supply pressures.

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