The demand for Chinese ferro-silicon for both domestic consumption and international export has shown an upward trend. Especially, the export to the U.S. in a large lot has become continuous, and the U.S. is anticipated to be a major export destination next to Japan. 

In the Chinese domestic market, in addition to the demand for steel mills being firm, the shipment meant for magnesium metal is also increasing gradually. Ferro-silicon produced in China has 2 types of Si being 72% and 75%, and most of ferro-silicon Chinese steel mills are using is 72% products, and 75% products which uses the same production facilities suffers from restrictions for production. On the other hand, ferro-silicon which is used to produce magnesium metal is 75% products, and the demand for this type is increasing as the demand for magnesium is increasing. 

As to the export, the inquiry for 75% products meant for the U.S. has been increasing since September, and as a matter of fact, a certain major producer has increased the contract volume meant for the U.S. to 4,500 tons which used to be around 1,500 tons per month and considers the shipment to the U.S. will continue from now at a rate of 3,500 - 4,000 tons per month as the new long-term contract has been concluded. As to the export destination for Chinese ferro-silicon, the U.S. will surpass a monthly average of 3,380 tons exported to South Korea and become the second-ranked export destination following Japan.

The background for the increase in the export to the U.S. is there is such a case as the U.S. is now examining the dumping cases by Venezuela and Russia. The customers who hated the possibility of imposition of antidumping duty have switched to Chinese products.

On the other hand, in the Japanese domestic market, it becomes increasingly likely the consumption of ferro-silicon will go up. This is because there is a possibility that such problems will come up as delay in shipment of Indian silico manganese and price hike of this products due to the strike which occurred in the State of Andhra Pradesh. If the price soars, as some steel mills will switch the materials from silico manganese to ferro-silicon, it can be imagined that the demand for ferro-silicon will increase without fail.（http://www.texreport.co.jp/xenglish/）

• [Editor:editor]