Ball Corporation shifts 19.2oz aluminum can production to Arizona. Raw aluminum continues its upward climb. Here's what craft beverage businesses need to know.
The craft beverage aluminum can market is entering a pivotal stretch. Domestic production shifts, rising raw material costs, and tightening capacity across North America mean the decisions you make now about your aluminum can and lid supply chain will directly impact your margins through the rest of 2026. This month's Aluminum Report breaks down the three developments every craft brewery, cidery, and beverage producer should be tracking.
Ball Corporation is transitioning all 19.2oz aluminum can production from their Monterrey, Mexico facility to their state-of-the-art plant in Goodyear, Arizona, beginning in early April 2026. For craft beverage businesses purchasing 19.2oz cans this is a significant and positive supply chain development.
The $6,000+ per truck tariff exposure tied to cross-border production from Mexico will be eliminated once 19.2oz supply transitions fully to Goodyear. This removes a meaningful variable cost from your aluminum can pricing.
This move is part of Ball Corporation's long-term strategic plan to shift all can production to domestic US facilities. Ball operates more beverage can production plants than any other manufacturer in North America, including facilities in Arizona, Colorado, Ohio, Texas, Georgia, New York and more.
Aluminum can specifications remain unchanged. Domestic production capacity is sufficient to meet all current demand. 19.2oz can lead times hold steady at 10 weeks.
The 19.2oz aluminum can has become one of the fastest-growing formats in craft beer, hard seltzer, and RTD packaging. Domestic production eliminates tariff volatility, reduces freight complexity, and strengthens your overall supply chain resilience.
The combined price of raw aluminum in North America reached $2.43 per pound in March 2026, continuing a multi-month upward trend that craft beverage businesses need to build into their planning. Understanding how aluminum pricing works helps you anticipate can cost changes and plan purchases accordingly.
Aluminum pricing is made up of two components: the LME (London Metal Exchange) global base price and the MWP (Midwest Premium), which covers North American transport, storage, and supply costs. Here's how both have tracked over the past four months:
| Month | LME ($/lb) | MWP ($/lb) | Total Price ($/lb) |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 2025 | $1.28 | $0.88 | $2.16 |
| January 2026 | $1.30 | $0.89 | $2.20 |
| February 2026 | $1.43 | $0.99 | $2.42 |
| March 2026 | $1.39 | $1.04 | $2.43 ▲ |
Global LME prices remain elevated as China approaches its self-imposed 45 million metric ton annual production cap (China accounts for roughly 60% of global aluminum supply). Long-term demand continues to grow from electric vehicle manufacturing, solar panel production, and the infrastructure buildout for AI data centers.
The U.S. Midwest Premium (MWP) has not dropped despite the March decline in LME, because North American aluminum inventory levels are historically low. Importers are holding metal in warehouses outside the U.S. to avoid 50% tariffs in case of further policy changes, which constrains domestic supply and pushes premiums higher.
Use the Cask Aluminum Calculator to see the current combined $/lb price of raw aluminum at any time.
When aluminum prices are rising, the craft beverage businesses that protect their margins are the ones managing total landed cost — not just the unit price on a purchase order. Total landed cost is the complete cost of getting aluminum cans and lids to your production facility, including the can price, freight, warehousing, and order timing. Here are the strategies that make the biggest difference:
Optimizing even a single delivery lane can generate meaningful savings that often offset raw material price increases. Freight is one of the largest variable costs in aluminum can supply — and one of the most actionable.
Working with an aluminum can supplier that actively helps you navigate rebate tiers, can plant production flexibility, and order planning lets you capture cost levers that passive suppliers leave on the table.
Smart storage solutions reduce secondary freight costs, improve cash flow timing, and create operational flexibility at your brewery or production facility.
Forward visibility on your can and lid needs allows you to optimize order timing, take advantage of efficient production runs, and manage inventory intentionally rather than reactively.
For one craft beverage customer ordering 5 million cans annually, Cask proactively planned supply to align with efficient production runs with Ball Corporation, optimizing delivery lanes and reducing freight costs by $1,500 per full truckload, or $22,000 saved annually. That's a meaningful reduction in total landed cost per can — achieved without changing can specs, volumes, or suppliers. Just smarter supply chain execution with a distributor that's built to help you find these savings.
When aluminum markets are tight and raw material costs continue to climb, working with a supplier grounded in domestic production and deep distribution experience can meaningfully improve your supply stability, lead time confidence, and pricing visibility.
Cask Global Canning Solutions is a 25+ year Distribution Partner of Ball Corporation — the world's largest aluminum beverage can manufacturer. We supply aluminum cans and lids to craft beverage businesses in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, with dedicated account management, quarterly planning, and the kind of proactive supply chain support that helps you capture real cost savings.
Our team is here to help you build a smarter supply program for your business.