News: S32 UPDATE 1-Global aluminium producers seek Q3 premiums of $185-$190/T, sources say

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Global aluminium producers have offered Japanese buyers premiums of $185 to $190 per metric ton for July-September primary metal shipments, up 25% to 31% from the current quarter, three people directly involved in quarterly pricing talks said on Tuesday.

Japan is a major Asian importer of the light metal and the premiums for primary metal shipments it agrees to pay each quarter over the London Metal Exchange (LME) cash price CMAL0 set the benchmark for the region.

For the April-June quarter, Japanese buyers agreed to pay a premium of $145-$148 per ton PREM-ALUM-JP , up 61% to 64% from the prior quarter.

One producer offered a premium of $190 per ton early this month while another supplier raised its offer on Monday to $185 per ton from $175 per ton proposed in late May, noting stronger demand from Europe and higher premiums in the U.S. and Europe, the sources told Reuters.

The sources declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the discussions.

Quarterly pricing negotiations began in late May between Japanese buyers and global suppliers, including Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO) and South32 Ltd (S32) , and are expected to continue until later this month.