US aluminum export prices pushed higher for all grades over the week on limited supply and improved demand.
The weekly Davis Index for 95/2 Zorba moved higher by 4.5¢/lb to 67.8¢/lb fas US ports, while 99/3 Zorba was up 6.1¢/lb at 71.2¢/lb fas on Thursday.
Taint/Tabor and Tense both jumped this week, with Taint/Tabor indexing at 62.6¢/lb fas, higher by 1.1¢/lb, and Tense moving to 63.2¢/lb fas US ports, better by 1.5¢/lb.
The index for 6063 new bare scrap stepped up by 1.3¢/lb to 91.3¢/lb, fas US ports, while A356 wheels climbed by 1.7¢/lb to 79.2¢/lb fas.
The official three-month LME Aluminium contract increased by $2.50/mt to $2,042/mt on Thursday, from $2,039.5/mt on Dec 3.
China is looking for material but is unable to find sellers. The Asian nation remains a mystery in the supply-demand equation for aluminum scrap as it struggles to get significant volumes because of its new classification systems. In the meantime, demand for scrap is strong in Southeast Asia and India.
On the supply side, container shortages, particularly in the US, are posing an additional challenge. As a result, supply in the US is becoming increasingly tighter and is helping to support the price jumps.