Some Japanese Buyers Accept 30% Higher Aluminum Premiums for Q1 2025

According to information provided by two sources directly involved in the negotiations, some Japanese aluminum buyers have agreed to pay a premium of $228 per metric ton over the benchmark price for shipments from January to March to a global producer. The premium for the October-December period was set at $175 per ton. The premium established for the first quarter of 2025 is also the highest seen since 2015, although it is slightly lower than the initial offers made by producers, which ranged from $230 to $260. Japan is the largest importer of the lightweight metal in Asia, and the premiums it accepts over the London Metal Exchange's (LME) benchmark cash price for primary metal shipments serve as a benchmark for the region. Negotiations between other buyers and sellers are still ongoing.