TOKYO: Global aluminium producers have offered Japanese buyers premiums of $145-$155 per metric ton for April-June primary metal shipments, up 61%-72% from the current quarter, two sources directly involved in quarterly pricing talks said on Thursday.

Japan is Asia’s major importer of the metal and the premiums for primary metal shipments it agrees to pay each quarter over the London Metal Exchange (LME) cash price set the benchmark for the region.

Aluminium up after hitting one-month low

For the January-March quarter, Japanese buyers agreed to pay a premium of $90 per ton, down 7% from the prior quarter.