China Sept prebaked anode exports jump 40 per cent y/y on overseas smelting demand

According to data released by the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC), China's prebaked anode exports reached 288,300 tonnes in September 2026, up 39.94 per cent year-on-year and 18.02 per cent month-on-month. The export value for September 2026 totalled US USD 279.2 million, with an average export unit price of US USD 968.6 per tonne.

By province, the major prebaked anode exporting regions in September 2026 were Shandong, Shanghai, and Jiangsu. Shandong led with total exports of 191,300 tonnes, up 8.91 per cent month-on-month, accounting for 66.37 per cent of national exports. Shanghai exported 41,200 tonnes, representing 14.28 per cent of the total. Jiangsu exported 25,200 tonnes, down 2.05 per cent month-on-month, accounting for 8.75 per cent of the total.

By destination country, China's prebaked anode exports in September 2026 were primarily shipped to Indonesia, Norway, Canada, and Malaysia. Exports to Indonesia totalled 64,000 tonnes, surging 152.28 per cent month-on-month and accounting for 22.21 per cent of total exports. Exports to Norway reached 40,500 tonnes, up 97.61 per cent month-on-month, representing 14.05 per cent of the total. Exports to Canada stood at 40,300 tonnes, down 6.57 per cent month-on-month, accounting for 13.98 per cent. Exports to Malaysia were 38,100 tonnes, down 6.92 per cent month-on-month, representing 13.22 per cent of the total.

Overall, China's prebaked anode exports continued their growth trend in September, increasing by 44,000 tonnes from the previous month. Regions with notable month-on-month increases included Shanghai (+41,200 tonnes) and Shandong (+15,700 tonnes). Destinations with significant gains were Indonesia (+38,600 tonnes) and Norway (+20,000 tonnes).

The number of destination countries for anode exports declined in September, with shipments to some nations dropping to zero. However, volumes to traditional consumption markets--Malaysia, Canada, and the UAE--remained elevated. Shipments to Indonesia, Norway, Iceland, and Spain posted marked increases, driving the overall month-on-month rise in national prebaked anode exports.

China's prebaked anode export momentum remained robust through the first three quarters of 2026, with cumulative export volume up 25.50 per cent year-on-year. June and September stood out as particularly strong months, each exceeding 270,000 tonnes in single-month exports.

Recently, overseas greenfield aluminium smelting projects have advanced steadily: Hualong Cable Technology announced that its Angolan aluminium smelting project has reached full capacity following the ramp-up phase. Baitong Energy stated in investor relations activities that its Angolan aluminium smelting project is progressing normally, with efforts underway to expedite the signing of key investment contracts and advance front-end procedures such as feasibility studies, aiming for a swift start of construction and production.

New capacity coming online and ramping up has driven rigid procurement demand for prebaked anodes, and overseas anode demand is expected to continue rising going forward. In the near term, domestic raw material prices remain elevated, providing support for export prices. Export margins for producers remain attractive, order execution is active, and market trading sentiment is sound. Total prebaked anode exports in October are expected to remain above the 200,000-tonne level.

Note: This article has been shared by Mysteel and has been published by AL Circle with its original information without any modifications or edits to the core subject/data.