Chinese domestic ferro-silicon prices stabilized last week, with production cuts and a sudden jump in ferro-silicon futures on the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange supporting the free market.
China garners production, futures support Europe awaits tenders results US ends six-week losing streak Metal Bulletin assessed Chinese domestic spot ferro-silicon (basis 75% silicon) prices unchanged week on week at 6,100-6,500 yuan ($972-$1,035.80) per tonne on Friday April 13. Current domestic prices are at cost production levels for some ferro-silicon plants, which is causing them to lose money, according to industry sources. To stave off the threat of potential losses, some producers have cut or stopped producing 75% grade alloy. Some switched to producing 72% silicon-grade which, while resulting in more sales, has meant lower sales prices. Export prices for ferro-silicon from mainland China (basis 75% silicon, 7.5% carbon) were down, dropping $10 per tonne week on week to $1,340-1,400 per tonne on April 13, according to Metal Bulletin's latest assessment. Producers did not want...