US domestic primary aluminium output trends down by 22% Y-o-Y in the March quarter 2023

Domestic primary aluminium production in the United States during March 2023 stood at 65,000 tonnes, registering an increase of 6,000 tonnes or 10.17 per cent month-on-month from 59,000 tonnes, found the US Census Bureau survey. But on a year-on-year basis, the March output edged a sharp fall of 19,000 tonnes or 22.62 per cent from 84,000 tonnes, learned USGS data.

In the first quarter of 2023, the United States' primary aluminium production totalled 188,000 tonnes, down by 21.99 per cent from 241,000 tonnes during the corresponding period of the last year.

In March 2023, the average daily production of primary aluminium in the US was 2,110 tonnes, up by 11.05 per cent from 1,900 tonnes a month ago and down by 22.71 per cent from 2,730 tonnes a year earlier, similar to the monthly output trend.

Total aluminium recovered from scrap in March 2023 was 275,000 tonnes, slightly up by 1,000 tonnes from 274,000 tonnes in February but recorded a decline of 5.17 per cent from 290,000 tonnes. Of the total scrap recovered in March, 150,000 tonnes was recovered from new scrap and 125,000 tonnes from old scrap.

The average US spot market price of primary aluminum ingot in March 2023 was $1.32 per pound, 5 per cent less than that in February 2023 and 33 per cent down from March 2022. The average cash price of primary aluminum ingot on the London Metal Exchange (LME) was $1.04 per pound, which also reflected 5 per cent less M-o-M and 35% down Y-o-Y.

Inventories of primary aluminum in LME-approved warehouses, including off-warrant inventories, in the United States were 3,449 tonnes at the end of March 2023, after dropping by 5 per cent from the previous month. Inventories of secondary aluminum (North American Secondary Aluminum Alloy Contract) in LME-approved warehouses, including off-warrant inventories, were 1,351 tonnes, down by 13 per cent M-o-M.