China’s primary aluminium production in April increased by 7.2% compared to the previous year, driven by rising prices both domestically and globally.
The world’s largest aluminium producer generated 3.58 million metric tons of primary aluminium in April, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
Average daily output in April was 119,333 tons, up from 115,806 tons in March, based on Reuters calculations.
Metal prices surged in April as investors anticipated higher demand from China’s clean energy sector, which uses aluminium in solar components and wind turbines. A weaker U.S. dollar, making the metal cheaper in other currencies, also contributed to this trend.
The benchmark aluminium contract on the London Metal Exchange increased by 4.1% in April, while the most-traded aluminium contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange rose by 4.9%, exceeding the 20,000 yuan level, a two-year high.
This price increase boosted average profits for China’s aluminium industry to 3,615 yuan per ton, nearly double from a year earlier and 48% higher than the previous month, according to a report by research firm Antaike.
In Yunnan, China’s fourth-largest aluminium-producing region, some operations resumed in April. However, the production outlook remains uncertain due to drought and reduced rainfall affecting hydropower availability.
From January to April, China produced 14.24 million tons of aluminium, up 7.1% from the previous year, according to NBS data.
Production of ten nonferrous metals in April, including copper, aluminium, lead, zinc, and nickel, rose 7% from a year earlier to 6.5 million tons. From January to April, output increased by 7.1% to 25.89 million tons. The other non-ferrous metals are tin, antimony, mercury, magnesium, and titanium. 
