US export scrap aluminum prices fas US port remained unchanged from last week as suppliers expect further delays in restarting production in China.
The weekly Davis Index for 99/3 Zorba held at 45¢/lb fas US ports, while 95/2 Zorba remained at 42¢/lb fas US ports on Thursday.
The index for Taint/Tabor was flat at 42.5¢/lb fas US ports, with Tense slightly stronger, but unchanged from last week at 43.6¢/lb fas US ports.
The lack of container availability is grinding export shipments out of China to a halt. Containers loaded and landed at Chinese ports are not being unloaded and returned, creating a global shortage for the units. Travel restrictions in China have been extended to March 1, due to which containers will have to wait for a few more days at Chinese ports before being unloaded.
Aluminum export prices are level at present, but demand is building behind the Covid-19 crisis and scrap prices as well as freight costs are expected to rise once the crisis has subsided.
The three-month LME aluminum price decreased from 77.7¢/lb on Feb 20 to 76.66¢/lb at the close of Thursday’s trade.