Chinese ferro-silicon prices were stable last week, but shortened supply and more active trading suggest an uptick in pricing ahead.
Chinese domestic market sees active trading, short supplyEuropean prices slide on thin trading activity US spot market stable amid spot inactivity Chinese domestic ferro-silicon market supported by tight supplyChinese domestic ferro-silicon prices were stable last week, supported by active trading and short supply in the market.Metal Bulletin assessed the Chinese domestic spot ferro-silicon (basis 75% silicon) price at 6,200-6,400 yuan ($974-$1,006) per tonne on May 4, unchanged from a week earlier. Chinese ferro-silicon prices continued to be buoyed by the short supply of the material, stemming from a number of factors, market sources told Metal Bulletin.One such factor is the higher power tariffs in the Chinese province of Qinghai, which has prompted the majority of ferro-silicon producers there to operate primarily in the evenings and throughout the night - effectively reducing their capacity by as much as 30%.Another is that the majority of ferro-silicon stock is currently...