Price-Watch™ provides price assessments for Aluminium Sheet across top trading regions:
Asia-Pacific
- Aluminium Sheet 5251 H22-2mm FOB Shanghai, China
- Aluminium Sheet 1200, H12-2mm EX- Mumbai, India
North America
- Aluminium Sheet 1100-H14-2mm Del Alabama, USA
Europe
- Aluminium Sheet AW-1050A-2mm FD-Willich, Germany
Note: In assessments structured as CIF [Importing Port] (Exporting Country), the country mentioned in brackets indicates the primary origin of supply (exporting country), while the named port refers to the destination port in the importing country. Other Incoterms (FOB, FD, EXW, etc.) should be interpreted in accordance with standard international trade definitions.
Aluminium Sheet Price Trend Q1 2026
In Q1 2026, the global aluminium sheet market demonstrated a broadly bullish pricing trend, with average prices increasing by approximately 9–10% compared to Q4 2025. The sharp upward momentum was underpinned by tightening primary aluminium supply amid ongoing bauxite and alumina cost pressures, robust downstream demand from the automotive, packaging, and construction sectors, and sustained energy cost inflation across key producing regions.
Supply-side constraints continued to limit the availability of semi-finished aluminium products, reinforcing price support across all major markets. While demand dynamics remained firm in Asia and the Americas, European markets witnessed a more moderate trajectory owing to softer industrial output and cautious buyer sentiment.
China: Aluminium Sheet Export prices FOB Shanghai, China; Grade- 5251 H22-2mm
The price trend of aluminium sheet in China during Q1 2026 reflected a pronounced bullish trajectory, with average market quotations rising by approximately 14% compared to Q4 2025. This significant upturn was driven by a combination of tightening domestic supply, elevated raw material costs particularly alumina and energy and robust demand from the automotive, packaging, and infrastructure sectors.
Policy-driven production controls and environmental compliance measures further constrained output from major smelters, limiting spot market availability and reinforcing upward price pressure. Export inquiries remained strong, particularly from Southeast Asian and European buyers seeking to diversify supply chains, which added further demand-side momentum to an already supply-constrained market.
In March 2026, aluminium sheet prices had already set a firm baseline, recording a month-on-month increase of 5.10%, reflecting year-end restocking activity and expectations of tighter supply in the new quarter. Heading into Q1 2026, market participants maintained a cautiously bullish outlook, supported by ongoing bauxite cost pressures, sustained downstream demand, and the persistence of export-driven tightness in the domestic market.
USA: Aluminium Sheet Domestically Traded prices Del Alabama, North America; Grade- 1100-H14-2mm
The price trend of aluminium sheet in the USA during Q1 2026 showed a moderate but steady upward movement, with average prices increasing by 6.58% compared to Q4 2025. The price rise was supported by firm demand from the automotive and construction sectors, combined with constrained domestic supply as several mills operated at reduced capacities due to scheduled maintenance and energy cost pressures.
Import availability remained limited amid global supply tightness, further underpinning the domestic price floor. While the overall increase was comparatively moderate relative to other regions, market participants noted that underlying demand fundamentals remained robust, with order backlogs extending into Q2 2026 for several key product grades.
In March 2026 , aluminium sheet prices had posted a month-on-month gain of 4.15%, reflecting buyer confidence and anticipatory procurement ahead of the new year. Looking ahead, market stakeholders remained cautiously optimistic, with price expectations tilted to the upside on the back of continued supply-demand tightness and elevated input cost pressures.
India: Aluminium Sheet Domestically Traded prices EX- Mumbai, India; Grade- 1200,H12-2mm
According to Price-Watch™, the price trend of aluminium sheet in India in Q1 2026 demonstrated a sharp and sustained upward momentum, with average prices rising by 13.38% compared to Q4 2025 marking one of the strongest quarterly price gains recorded in recent periods. The significant price escalation was driven by a confluence of factors: elevated global primary aluminium costs, tightening domestic supply amid higher input prices for alumina and energy, and robust demand from the automotive, packaging, and construction sectors.
Import parity levels continued to trend higher as international prices surged, compelling domestic producers to revise offer prices upward to maintain margins. Inventory levels across the supply chain remained lean, as buyers had limited buffer stock heading into the quarter, further amplifying upward price pressure.
Additionally, the depreciation of the Indian rupee against major currencies made imports costlier, reinforcing the bullish domestic pricing environment. In March 2026, aluminium sheet prices had already reflected early signs of this upswing, recording a month-on-month increase of 9.3% as pre-quarter restocking activity and anticipatory procurement gathered pace.
Stakeholders remain cautious on near-term volatility but broadly expect price levels to remain elevated through the remainder of Q1 2026, given persistent cost pressures and firm end-use demand.
Germany: Aluminium Sheet Domestically Traded prices FD-Willich, Germany; Grade- AW-1050A-2mm
The price trend of aluminium sheet in Germany during Q1 2026 reflected a subdued yet marginally positive trajectory, with average prices increasing by approximately 3% compared to Q4 2025. The modest uptick was primarily attributable to firmer global primary aluminium values and slightly improved demand from the automotive and packaging sectors following a period of cautious procurement in Q4 2025.
However, subdued industrial activity across the broader European manufacturing landscape particularly in machinery and capital goods continued to cap sharper price gains, as buyers maintained conservative inventory strategies amid economic uncertainty. Domestic supply conditions were broadly balanced, with producers managing output levels to support price floors without triggering significant stock build-ups.
The price in March was increased by 4.80% due to rising energy costs in Germany, which significantly impact aluminium production. Tight supply conditions, coupled with steady demand from automotive and construction sectors, further supported the upward trend, while higher raw material and transportation costs added additional pricing pressure.


