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Aluminum futures in the UK fell to $3,200 per tonne from the eight-week high of $3,360 on August 11th, as higher supply from China offset the disruption from the war in the Middle East. Exports of aluminum from China, the world’s top producer, surged by 18.7% in the year to July. The country has stepped up exports as muted demand allowed producers to ship metal despite Beijing’s output cap of 45 million tons, easing shortages from the Middle East due to the war in Iran. The Alunorte plant in Brazil, the world’s largest alumina plant outside of China, was forced to cut operations to half capacity amid the lack of natural gas from its supplier. This added to detriment to its client Norsk Hydro, which already declared two force majeures on aluminum sales after its joint Qatari venture Qatalum plant was forced to shut off production on natural gas shortages. LNG supply from the Middle East, essential for aluminum refining, has been scarce due to tanker blockades from the US and Iran.
