TABLE-Japan aluminium buyers to pay lower premiums for October-December imports

TOKYO, Oct 7 (Reuters) - The premium for aluminium shipments to Japanese buyers for October to December was set at $99 a tonne, down 33% from the previous quarter, reflecting weak demand and ample inventories, five sources directly involved in pricing talks said. The figure is lower than the $148 per tonne paid in the July-September quarter and marks a fourth consecutive quarterly drop. The premium is below $100 for the first time since the October-December quarter of 2020. Japan is Asia's biggest importer of the light metal and the premiums for primary metal shipments it agrees to pay each quarter over the benchmark London Metal Exchange (LME) cash price set the benchmark for the region. Following is a table of premiums agreed between Japanese buyers and global suppliers since 2005. Figures are in per tonne, over cash LME, CIF basis: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 2022 $177 $172 $148 $99 2021 $130 $148-149 $185 $220 2020 $83 $82 $79 $88 $83-85 $105 $108 $97 2019 2018 $103 $129 $132 $103 2017 $95 $128 $118-119 $94-95 2016 $110 $115-117 $90-93 $75 2015 $425 $380 $100 $90 2014 $225 $365-370 $400-408 $420 2013 $240-245 $248-250 $250 $245-247 2012 $112 $121-122 $200-210 $254-255 2011 $112-113 $113 $120 $118 2010 $128-130 $122-124 $120 $116-118 2009 $58-62 $56-58 $75 $115-120 2008 $65 $83 $87-88 $75-76 2007 $76-77 $71-73 $68-69 $65-66 2006 $56 $60-61 $73 $82-83 2005 $86-87 $79-80 $70-72 $63 (Reporting by Yuka Obayashi; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)