Global aluminium producers seek Q1 premiums of $190-$203/T from Japan buyers, sources say

TOKYO: Global aluminium producers have offered Japanese buyers premiums of $190-$203 per metric ton for January-March primary metal shipments, up 121%-136% from the current quarter, two sources directly involved in quarterly pricing talks said.

Japan is Asia’s major importer of the metal and the premiums for primary metal shipments it agrees to pay each quarter over the London Metal Exchange (LME) cash price set the benchmark for the region.

For the October-December quarter, Japanese buyers agreed to pay a premium of $86 per ton, down 20% from the prior quarter.