Prebaked Anode Prices to Slump in May

SHANGHAI, May 4 (SMM) – The April prebaked anode benchmark purchase price of a major aluminium smelter in Shandong was 5,375 yuan/mt. SMM prebaked anode prices stood between 5,375-7,100 yuan/mt in east China and 5,825-6,195 yuan/mt in north-west China last week.

In terms of raw materials, the prices of petroleum coke were mixed.

On the supply side, some prebaked anode producers cut output due to losses or poor demand. On the demand side, production resumptions by aluminium smelters in Guizhou, Sichuan and Guangxi did not boost prebaked anode demand significantly. Smelters in Yunnan have no hope of resuming production in May as local power supply remains tight. 

In the absence of cost support, prebaked anode prices are likely to slump 1,000-1,150 yuan/mt in May, which will aggravate producers’ losses.