For the Quarter Ending December 2025
North America
• The Aluminium Wire Price Index in North America is estimated to have increased moderately in Q4 2025, continuing the upward momentum from the previous quarter where it rose by approximately 2.7%.
• The Aluminium Wire Spot Price remained firm due to strong procurement activity from utilities and infrastructure projects, coupled with elevated upstream costs.
• The Aluminium Wire Price Forecast for early 2026 indicates prices will remain elevated, supported by sustained investment in grid modernization and renewable energy wiring, though macroeconomic factors may cap sharper increases.
• The Aluminium Wire Production Cost Trend faced significant upward pressure. Key drivers included high U.S. energy costs, rising costs for aluminium alloy and scrap, and the impact of elevated tariffs and logistics expenses on landed material costs.
• The Aluminium Wire Demand Outlook is positive, underpinned by robust demand from power transmission, building construction, and automotive electrical systems, particularly for electric vehicles (EVs).
Why did the price of Aluminium Wire change in December 2025 in North America?
• Prices increased in December primarily due to heightened landed costs for imported material. The U.S. Midwest duty-paid aluminium premium, a key cost component, stabilized at historically high levels following a record spike earlier in the year.
• Persistent trade policy uncertainty and elevated tariffs (with an effective rate of 50% for many jurisdictions) continued to inflate costs for importers, which filtered through to wire product pricing.
• Strategic procurement by contractors and utilities ahead of the year-end, aiming to secure supply amidst these costly and uncertain trade conditions, provided additional support to prices.
APAC
• In South Korea, the Aluminium Wire Price Index rose by 0.29% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting tight supply.
• The average Aluminium Wire price for the quarter was approximately USD 3750.33/MT, CFR Busan reported.
• Aluminium Wire Spot Price remained steady as imports filled demand while bonded warehouse stocks comfortable.
• Aluminium Wire Price Forecast signals modest increases post-Lunar New Year, tempered by Chinese maintenance shutdowns.
• Aluminium Wire Production Cost Trend shows higher feedstock premiums, weaker won; raises landed import costs.
• Aluminium Wire Demand Outlook highlights stronger construction demand offset by weak automotive orders, limited restocking.
• Aluminium Wire Price Index recorded marginal quarterly rise as shipments remained steady and inventories adequate.
• Major regional producers operated near-normal rates while freight stability, no port congestion supported balanced conditions.
Why did the price of Aluminium Wire change in December 2025 in APAC?
• Tight seaborne supply from China maintenance cycles reduced availability, supporting marginal price uptick in December.
• Weaker Korean won and elevated feedstock premiums increased landed costs, nudging import bids slightly higher.
• Soft spot demand from cable makers and automotive weakness limited buying, keeping upward pressure muted.
Europe
• In Europe, the Aluminium Wire Price Index is estimated to have shown stability or modest firmness in Q4 2025, following a quarterly increase of approximately 2.5% in Q3.
• The Aluminium Wire Spot Price was supported by steady buying activity from the automotive and construction wiring sectors, alongside consistently high upstream processing costs.
• The Aluminium Wire Price Forecast for Q1 2026 points to moderate strength, contingent on sustained demand from infrastructure and automotive wiring, though macroeconomic fragility remains a limiting factor.
• The Aluminium Wire Production Cost Trend remained under significant upward pressure. The primary drivers were elevated electricity and energy costs across the region, increased alloy-processing expenses, and persistent logistical handling costs.
• The Aluminium Wire Demand Outlook is cautiously positive, with key consumption from building wiring, power transmission, and automotive wiring harnesses for EVs.
Why did the price of Aluminium Wire change in December 2025 in Europe?
• Prices saw a moderate increase in December, driven by accelerated year-end procurement from automotive OEMs and construction firms seeking to cover needs before anticipated winter supply tightness.
• Persistently high manufacturing costs, particularly for energy-intensive wire drawing and processing, continued to provide a firm floor for prices, preventing any significant softening.
• Limited import flexibility and longer lead times for specialized conductor-grade wire reduced immediate supply options, adding upward pressure on the regional Price Index.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In North America, the Aluminium Wire Price Index is estimated to have increased by approximately 2.7% quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by stronger infrastructure and electrical-wiring demand.
• Aluminium Wire Spot Price strengthened as aluminium scrap premiums rose, conductor-grade alloy supply was constrained, and downstream buyers in utilities and construction increased coverage.
• Aluminium Wire Price Forecast points to modest further upside into Q4 2025, supported by grid-modernisation projects, renewable-energy wiring roll-outs and automotive lightweight-wiring trends, albeit moderated by macro-economic headwinds.
• Aluminium Wire Production Cost Trend moved upward: higher energy costs in U.S, increased alloying expense, and logistic & distribution cost pressures elevated mill unit costs.
• Aluminium Wire Demand Outlook remains positive: key downstream uses in North America include overhead/underground power-transmission & distribution conductors, building wiring (residential, commercial), automotive electrical systems, and renewable-energy cabling.
• The Aluminium Wire Price Index was supported through Q3 by domestic restocking, longer lead-times for specialist conductor wire, and infrastructure/utility project tendering ramp-up.
• Although imports and excess inventories remain in some segments, upstream cost pressures and downstream project demand prevented a price softening, thus keeping the Price Index elevated.
Why did the price of Aluminium Wire change in September 2025 in North America?
• The Aluminium Wire Price Index increased in September 2025 because utilities and large contractors advanced procurement ahead of anticipated supply bottlenecks and year-end reinvestment cycles in grid and building wiring projects.
• Rising upstream aluminium alloy and scrap premiums, along with elevated energy and freight costs, increased landed supply cost and supported higher Spot Price levels.
• Longer lead-times on high-spec conductor wire (e.g., for transmission or EV wiring) and elevated uncertainty on tariff/trade conditions drove buyers to secure coverage early, tightening prompt availability and lifting the Price Index.
APAC
• In South Korea, the Aluminium Wire Price Index rose by 2.28% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting tightening supply.
• The average Aluminium Wire price for the quarter was approximately USD 3739.33/MT CFR Busan basis
• Aluminium Wire Spot Price strengthened from constrained exports and rising freight, supporting the Price Index.
• Aluminium Wire Price Forecast anticipates limited volatility with holiday dips, the Price Index remains supported.
• Aluminium Wire Production Cost Trend rose on freight and metal costs, pressuring the Price Index.
• Aluminium Wire Demand Outlook remains supported by construction and EV demand, underpinning the Price Index.
• Tight inventories and steady export demand sustained the Aluminium Wire Price Index despite buyer destocking.
• Chinese production cuts and lower operating rates constrained supply, elevating the Aluminium Wire Price Index.
Why did the price of Aluminium Wire change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Reduced Chinese exports, lower operating rates, depleted inventories tightened supply, supporting Aluminium Wire Price Index.
• Surging intra-Asia freight and higher base metal costs increased import expenses, pressuring the Price Index.
• Sustained construction and automotive offtake, plus logistical delays, limited restocking and maintained upward price pressure.
Europe
• In Europe, the Aluminium Wire Price Index is estimated to have increased by approximately 2.5% quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by moderate supply constraints and steady downstream offtake.
• Aluminium Wire Spot Price firmed as upstream aluminium alloy and conductor-grade aluminium premiums rose, and as buyers covering for wiring harnesses, power-cable and construction applications became more active.
• The Aluminium Wire Price Forecast for Q4 2025 points to moderate further strength or stability with limited downside, provided raw-material constraints persist and infrastructure or automotive wiring demand remains healthy.
• The Aluminium Wire Production Cost Trend in Europe showed upward pressure: electricity/energy costs remained elevated, alloy-processing and conductor drawing costs increased, and logistics/handling constraints for conductor-grade wire elevated unit costs.
• The Aluminium Wire Demand Outlook remains cautiously positive: key downstream uses in Europe include building & construction electrical wiring, power transmission & distribution conductors, automotive wiring harnesses (including for EVs and high-voltage systems), and telecom/network cabling.
• The Aluminium Wire Price Index was supported by stock-draws among service-centres, import lead-time extensions for higher-spec conductor wire, and restocking by OEMs ahead of year-end contract reviews.
• Although production volumes remained broadly stable, the combination of elevated feed-stock cost and downstream demand picking up prevented significant price softness, helping maintain the Price Index at elevated levels.
Why did the price of Aluminium Wire change in September 2025 in Europe?
• The Aluminium Wire Price Index increased in September 2025 because buyers in the building & construction sector and automotive OEMs accelerated procurement ahead of anticipated year-end supply tightness, reducing available prompt inventories.
• At the same time, higher upstream aluminium alloy costs and conductor-drawing processing costs (driven by energy and labour) elevated landed cost and supported higher Spot Price levels.
• Furthermore, logistical constraints (including longer lead-times for specialized wiring grades and imports) limited immediate supply flexibility and added upward pressure on the Price Index.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• The Aluminium Wire Price Index in North America softened over Q2, reflecting modest price declines as supply exceeded demand across key markets.
• Aluminium Wire Production Cost Trend: cost pressures eased slightly due to lower raw-material prices and slumping energy costs, but reductions in import tariffs and trade volumes squeezed margin relief.
• Aluminium Wire Demand Outlook: demand from the automotive and construction sectors remained subdued through the quarter, especially as order books weakened in Mexico and the U.S. auto segment showed signs of softness.
• Aluminium Wire Price: supply overhang combined with sluggish draw from downstream sectors kept price levels under downward pressure throughout the quarter.
• Manufacturing and Supply Dynamics: by mid quarter, pipeline inventories looked ample, oversupply from domestic and import sources combined with logistic bottlenecks in cross-border trade exerted additional negative pressure on the price index.
• Aluminium Wire Price Forecast: short term outlook remained cautious; unless industrial activity rebounded or automotive offtake recovered, Price Index likely to stay under pressure in early Q3.
• Why did the price of aluminium wire change in July 2025 in North America?
As of mid July, base aluminium prices in the LME market were relatively stable compared to the prior month, showing minimal daily variation. This translated into flat to marginal movement in the Aluminium Wire Price Index for North America, suggesting prices did not change significantly in July 2025. If anything, the index held near the previous quarter's levels given the steady base price environment and continued subdued demand.
APAC
• The Aluminium Wire Price Index across APAC in Q2 2025 decreased by approximately 1% quarter on quarter, reflecting modest price softening region wide.
• Aluminium Wire Production Cost Trend: raw material and energy costs rose modestly during the quarter, squeezing margins; rising electricity rates across parts of Asia elevated smelting expenses, while logistics pressures added to cost burdens despite some easing later in the period.
• Aluminium Wire Demand Outlook: demand remained steady in key markets such as South Korea, supported by consistent offtake from construction, electrical infrastructure, renewable energy (solar, wind), and growing EV production, although residential construction activity slowed under high borrowing costs.
• By mid quarter, China’s aluminium wire operating rates declined to around 52–55%, especially among smaller producers, slowing supply; finished goods and raw inventory levels tightened in South Korea, while Indonesian exports provided some relief. Elevated freight and raw input expenses further pressured production costs.
• Demand in South Korea remained firm through Q2, driven by infrastructure and EV related demand, but was offset by weaker residential construction. The net result was balanced demand supply: firm pockets of demand prevented sharp price declines, yet oversupply and sluggish downstream restocking weighed on overall pricing.
• Aluminium Wire Price Forecast: short term outlook remains cautious; unless supply contracts or Chinese production adjusts significantly, Price Index may stay flat to mildly bearish into early Q3; however, medium term recovery is possible if demand from renewable energy and EV sectors accelerates later in 2025.
Why did the aluminium wire price change in July 2025 in Asia?
By late July, prices for primary aluminium saw modest gains. This uptick reflects improved sentiment in primary aluminium markets, which filters through to aluminium wire via supported scrap and input costs. Thus, in July 2025 the aluminium wire Price Index likely inched up slightly, driven by firming base aluminium prices and continued tight sourcing of raw inputs, offsetting some of the earlier Q2 softness.
Europe
• The Aluminium Wire Price Index across Europe trended downward over Q2, with weakening pricing as supply outpaced demand in several major manufacturing hubs.
• Aluminium Wire Production Cost Trend: production costs eased thanks to softer alumina and energy pricing, yet the lower cost base did little to lift sentiment in a weak demand environment.
• Aluminium Wire Demand Outlook: demand contracted noticeably in industrial sectors—new orders slowed across machinery, auto, and infrastructure segments, particularly in Germany and neighboring markets.
• Aluminium Wire Price: declining demand from industrial consumers, paired with expanding regional capacity, drove price softening through the quarter
• Input cost declines provided limited relief and margins remained under strain due to aggressive pricing competition and weak consumption.
• The outlook for the remainder of Q3 remained bearish, unless industrial activity in Europe picked up significantly or exports improved.
• Inventories and logistics: by quarter’s end, stocks remained elevated across key EU storage hubs with no notable disruptions to logistics, reinforcing bearish pricing conditions.
Why did the price of Aluminium Wire change in July 2025 in Europe?
In mid July, broader aluminium prices in Europe were showing modest gains month on month—regional reference prices edged upward. However, the weak demand scenario for aluminium wire meant the Aluminium Wire Price Index in Europe likely increased only marginally or remained flat in July 2025, with elevated inventories and low industrial uptake offsetting broader metal price firmness.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
• Asia Pacific :- US$ 3591 /MT (MoM :-4% ; YoY :+2.7%)
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
• In Q1 2025, the Aluminium Wire Price Index in the APAC region moved upward, marking a bullish trend across key markets like China.
• Why did the price change in April 2025?: The price went high due to reduced production levels, regional supply constraints, and increased consumption from downstream sectors.
• China, as the primary regional influencer, recorded the highest growth, with the Aluminium Wire Spot Price reaching USD 3741/MT FOB Tianjin for Aluminium Wire (8011 – 10 mm) by the quarter ending March 2025.
• Despite initial volatility, the market displayed resilience, underpinned by stronger-than-expected demand, especially in industrial manufacturing.
• Minor logistical disruptions and external factors also impacted the Aluminium Wire Production Cost Trend, but did not reverse the overall price gains.
• The Aluminium Wire Demand Outlook remained optimistic for APAC, further supporting a strong price forecast heading into Q2.
North America
• Aluminium Wire Price Index in North America followed a downward trend during Q1 2025, registering a decrease compared to the same period last year.
• Moving to the next quarter, the Aluminium Wire Spot Price declined sharply in April 2025, mainly due to oversupply, reflecting low demand outlook, particularly from the automotive sector.
• Why did the price change in April 2025?: The price went low due to seasonal factors, the implementation of tariffs, and trade flow disruptions—especially pronounced in Mexico.
• In Mexico, newly imposed tariffs by the US and persistent supply chain issues triggered volatility, driving the Aluminium Wire Price Index downward.
• Overall, the quarter closed with Aluminium Wire prices reflecting market instability, a bearish price forecast, and a negative sentiment for Q2 2025.
• The Aluminium Wire Production Cost Trend was also impacted by regulatory pressure and sluggish raw material pricing, though demand remained insufficient to offset cost benefits.
Europe
• The Aluminium Wire Price Index across Europe showed a declining trend in Q1 2025, led by significant reductions in Germany.
• Why did the price change in April 2025?: The price went low owing to a drop in downstream demand, particularly due to a reduction in new orders and manufacturing sector slowdown.
• Germany’s prices fell further due to supply imbalances introduced by a newly operational aluminium billet casting line in a neighbouring country, enhancing regional supply.
• Increased global alumina availability lowered Aluminium Wire Production Cost Trends, contributing to the bearish market.
• Despite some market capacity additions, weak new order volumes signalled a soft Aluminium Wire Demand Outlook heading into the second quarter.
• The overall Aluminium Wire Price Forecast for Europe remains subdued, with no immediate triggers for recovery.
