Chinese silicon export prices have been stable due to high raw materials costs and limited output during dry season though market participants are wary of a headwind on low buying interest, while European prices were steady on a hesitant market sentiment.
The Chinese grade 553 silicon export price stood at $2,010-2,050 per tonne on Friday March 9, unchanged from one week ago. Since the start of December last year, Chinese silicon export prices, especially for grade 553 silicon, have been underpinned by the limited production in Sichuan and Yunnan province where higher electricity power costs led to lower operating rates at local silicon refineries that are less likely to resume to full operation until April. In addition, rising raw materials costs have also supported silicon prices in China. The price of some raw materials used in the production of silicon metal, including graphite electrodes, have rallied sharply since June last year due to environmental scrutiny. Purchasing prices for graphite electrodes have more than doubled from about...