China’s FeSi exports weak,slow demand

摘要

Prices for Chinese-origin 75% ferrosiliconnremain weak due to low demand, with thenexport trade also at a standstill, Chinese industrynsources said Thursday. Platts assessednFOB prices for ferrosilicon 75% Si at $1,300-n1,320/mt FOB China this week, unchangednfrom a week ago. One Inner Mongolia-basedntrader said she had reported no spot dealsnthis week. “Our breakeven level is at $1,340mt FOB China so we cannot sell at below thenprice level. But so far we won’t be able to findnbuyers in the market,” the trader said. Shenadded that weaker overseas demand continuednto depress the spot market activity. OnenShanghai-based trader echoed her view, add ing that spot activity had been lacking innChina. “We have not sold any material sonfar this week and I heard offer prices arenmostly quoted at slightly above $1,300mt FOB China. Prices are still very weak,”nshe said. A third trader said offer pricesnwere mostly indicated at $1,320-1,330mt FOB China but no transactions werenreported. “There is simply no demandnfrom overseas. Chinese producers andntraders are reducing their offers due tonprolonged weak prices.” the trader said.nA fourth trader said overseas buyers werenunwilling to buy the material at aboven$1,320/mt FOB China. “Given weaknexport prices, we would rather do domesticntrade instead. I reckon prices will staynflat before the National Day holiday innChina in early October,” the trader added.nMeanwhile, local traders said the strongntrade ties between China and Japan hadnnot been affected so far by the sovereigntyndisputes over the territorial rights tonthe Diaoyu Islands. One trader said: “Ournexports of ferrosilicon to Japan have notnbeen affected by recent political tensionsnbetween the two countries. It’s the pricesnthat has slowed the trade activity, butnnothing to do with the political reason.”nAnother trader said: “We haven’t got inntouch with Japanese consumers as muchnthese days but that’s mainly becausenthey don’t need to buy now.”