For deliveries scheduled during the April-June quarter, Japanese aluminium buyers agreed to the payment of a USD 350 per tonne premium, which buyers will pay in addition to the current base price on the London Metal Exchange.
At the end of February, global aluminium producers had suggested a premium of USD 220 to 250 per tonne for the buyers in Japan for April-June quarter (Q2 2026). That was already 13 to 28 per cent higher than the premium of USD 195 per tonne agreed for the previous quarter.
A few days later in mid-March, Rio Tinto, offered the premium of USD 350 per tonne to Japanese buyers, which was 40 per cent higher than the previous offering of USD 250 per tonne. Compared with the current quarter, the offer rose by 79 per cent, owing to the concerns revolving around the Middle East conflict, which may create supply disruption.
At the same time, it also came into being that many global aluminium buyers, after proposing the premium price between USD 220 and 250, had withdrawn or allowed the offers to expire, keeping in mind the risks of shipment, which would be passing through the Strait of Hormuz as a result of the rising geopolitical crisis.
From unknown sources, it was secured that the decision to undertake a high aluminium premium is a result of stronger aluminium premiums in Europe and the US, alongside the hiked insurance and freight costs.