Aluminium falls as surging China exports revive supply worries
XLB•Aluminium prices fell after China reported exports of 5.91 million tons of unwrought aluminium and aluminium products in the first 10 months of 2026, up from 5.02 million tons a year earlier.
1. Prices fall on exports
Benchmark three-month aluminium on the London Metal Exchange was down 1.34% at $3,025.50 a metric ton by 0741 GMT. The most-traded Shanghai Futures Exchange aluminium contract fell 3.38% to 22,715 yuan a ton.
2. Supply concerns persist
A market researcher said the export data reinforced concerns about additional Chinese material entering international markets, but cautioned that it did not point to structural oversupply. LME-registered aluminium inventories stood at 226,975 tons, 55% lower than at the start of the year. The premium tied to disrupted Middle Eastern supply has faded amid expectations of resumed production there and new supply from Indonesia.
