DAILY: Chinese alumina prices extend losses on growing availability

Chinese alumina prices in both spot and futures markets faltered further on August 29, largely pressured by increased availability of spot material and firmer bargains from downstream buyers.

Mysteel assessed smelter-grade alumina with purity exceeding 98.6 per cent in the Guangxi autonomous region at RMB 3,290 per tonne (USD 461 per tonne) last Friday, down by RMB 15 per tonne from the previous day.

Similarly, the assessed prices in Shandong and Shanxi fell by RMB 10 per tonne on day to RMB 3,160 per tonne and RMB 3,180 per tonne respectively, while those in Henan and Guizhou eased by a smaller RMB 5 per tonne to RMB 3,180 per tonne and RMB 3,290 per tonne.

Growing availability of spot alumina prompted both sellers and buyers to show greater willingness to trade at lower prices, market insiders pointed out.

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Some alumina producers have even voluntarily lowered their quotations in recent days to avoid a sharper market downturn, especially as inventories at North China producers have accumulated due to transportation restrictions, market insiders added.

This softer stance from alumina sellers has also encouraged primary aluminium smelters with restocking needs to press for cheaper procurement, reinforcing bearish sentiment.

Mysteel heard of one deal concluded in Guangxi on August 29, where a trader sold 2,000 tonnes of spot alumina to a local smelter at RMB 3,260 per tonne EXW including the 13 per cent VAT.

The downward pressure also spread to the futures market. On the Shanghai Futures Exchange, the most-traded January 2026 alumina contract closed the nighttime session on August 29 0.43 per cent lower, after slipping 0.36 per cent during the daytime session, according to the exchange's data.

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Note: This news is published under the content exchange agreement with Mysteel