Pre-baked Anode Exports Exceed 200,000 mt in Jul, Export Concerns Aggravate amid Overseas Production Cuts

SHANGHAI, Aug 24 (SMM) - According to customs data, China’s export volume of prebaked anode returned to the 200,000 mt level in July, with a reading of 206,500 mt. This is the second time this year that the export volume exceeded 200,000 mt. The monthly export volume added 57.32% month-on-month and 24.93% year-on-year. The imports totalled 1.22 million mt from January to July 2022, a year-on-year increase of 255,500 mt.

In terms of unit price, except for Malaysia, where the export price is similar to that of domestic prebaked anodes, the unit price of exports to other regions was all above 8,500 yuan/mt ($1,328/mt).

From the perspective of exporting countries/regions, the export volume to Malaysia jumped to the first place. But based on local supply and demand, it is expected that in August, the volume of prebaked anodes exported to Malaysia will decrease. Exports to other regions were much larger than in June due to issues such as shipping schedules.

SMM comments: By the end of July, overseas aluminium smelters posted strong demand for prebaked anodes, and the year-to-date exports were 255,500 mt more than in the same period in 2021. However, as of the time of this release, according to SMM research, the aluminium smelters in Europe and Norway have started to curtail the production due to worker strikes, energy shortages and soaring costs, which may have a certain impact on the export of domestic prebaked anodes. SMM will continue to pay attention to the demand of overseas aluminium smelters.