[Ferro-Alloys.com]= Ups and downs in Chinese market affects periphery and Mn market reacts nervously =

The market trend of import of ferroalloy as of 15 March 2016 is as follows.

 

<> Silicon Metal = The price of silicon metal in China is slightly going up even at the moment, and the price of 5.5.3 low-grade product is up by CNY600 per ton from the end of February and the prices of 3303 and 2202 grades are also up by CNY300 - CNY400. This is because the inventory distributed in the market got scarce due to lowered operating rate in the main producing areas like Yunnan and Sichuan during February, and the customers which were in a hurry due to a feeling of tight supply moved to purchase. Albeit the price of silicon metal moves separately, 5.5.3 grade is analyzed to lead the movement at all times.

 

In Japan, both offer and contract prices have gone up owing to the price increase in China, but there is a temperature difference between shippers and customers and therefore the contract price remains at being up by US$70 - US$80 from the end of February.

 

<> Ferro-silicon = In China, major ferro-silicon producers are said to have had a discussion to increase the price by adjusting the production last week, and the price meant for domestic consumption rose by about CNY350 per ton. After that, it was rumored in the martlet that the adjustment was broken off, and some trading firms submitted a cheap offer price, but the adjustment among producers seems to be ongoing at the present moment, and the actual sale price to the customers is maintained at around CNY4,900 (delivered to customer).

 

As to the price of Chinese ferro-silicon in the Japanese market, the price of regularly exported product remains unchanged, but the suppliers' offer prices for the products distributed in the market and roundabout products are seesawing in a short period, and still messed up even at the moment. For that reason, the upper price is up by US$40 from the end of February and the lower price remains unchanged ditto, which led to the increased difference between both prices.

 

Supposing major Chinese producers' adjustment continues, the products with a cheap offer price have a risk of non-delivery.

 

The price of Russian product was lowered as is the case in the last time. Both offer and contract prices are down by US$20 from the end of February. Against a background of weak ruble, the price is showing a different movement from other sources. 

 

As to Malaysian products, a major Japanese steel mill is reported to be awarded a contract for about 10,000 tons for the period from April to June as part of long-term contract. The import volume in the full year 2015 was 9,652 tons, but it becomes possible that the import volume in 2016 will increase by more than double. The share in the Japanese market is now going to be expanded.

 

<> Silico Manganese = In the Indian domestic market, the producers raised an offer price because of increased price of imported manganese ore for April shipment and the increased electricity rate. It is not a rare case that FOB offer price exceeds US$900 per ton.

 

The price in China strengthens an increasing trend, and is up by as much as CNY900 per ton from the end of February. This is because the price of imported manganese ore as raw materials rose also for April shipment, and the port stock decreased at quite a pace to dip below 1.2 million tons, which led to a soared retail price to the customers. The offer more than the price of imported ores is seen sporadically, and there are also movements in China to buy Indian and Ukrainian ores.

 

Due to a price increase in the main producing areas, the current spot price went up to around US$800 even in the Japanese market where the actual demand was weak. Furthermore, it is sporadically seen that the price for shipments during April to May is more than US$850 partly due to a feeling of an anticipation of a price rise.

 

For a reference, on March 11, U.S. ITC decided not to impose an antidumping duty on Australian silico manganese. This means one factor for a price cut in the Asian market has been eliminated.

 

Article from Internet for Reference only