US primary aluminium production in 2Q2023 reflects a 1% sequential growth; output in H1 totals 378,000t

According to the US Census Bureau data, the United States' primary aluminium production in June 2023 was recorded at 62,000 tonnes, experiencing a drop of 3,000 tonnes or 4.62 per cent month-on-month. In May, the output stood at 65,000 tonnes, up by 2,000 tonnes or 3.17 per cent from 63,000 tonnes.

On a year-on-year calculation, the United States' primary aluminium output in June 2023 reflected a sharp fall of 16,000 tonnes or 20.5 per cent from 78,000 tonnes.

Adding up the United States primary aluminium output through the second quarter of 2023, the production volume aggregated at 190,000 tonnes - 1.06 per cent higher than 188,000 tonnes in Q1 2023. The country’s total production in H1 thus stood at 378,000 tonnes.

The United States daily average primary aluminium production in June was 2,080 tonnes, almost the same as 2,090 tonnes a month ago and 20.61 per cent down from 2,620 tonnes a year earlier. 

In June 2023, total aluminium recovered from scrap was 282,000 tonnes, up by 10,000 tonnes or 3.68 per cent from 272,000 tonnes in May 2023 but down by 4,000 tonnes or 1.4 per cent from 286,000 tonnes. Of the total recovery from scrap, 150,000 tonnes were recovered from new scrap and 131,000 tonnes from old scrap.

The June 2023 average US spot market price of primary aluminium ingot was $1.24 per pound, slightly less than that in May 2023 and 17 per cent down from that in June 2022. The average cash price in June 2023 of primary aluminum ingot on the London Metal Exchange (LME) was $0.99 per pound, 4 per cent less M-o-M and 15 per cent less Y-o-Y.

Inventories of primary aluminum in LME-approved warehouses, including off-warrant inventories, in the United States were 3,224 tonnes at the end of June 2023, down by 4 per cent from May 2023. Inventories of secondary aluminum (North American Secondary Aluminum Alloy Contract) in LME-approved warehouses, including off-warrant inventories, in the United States were 898 tonnes, 10% less than the previous month.