The Chinese silicon export price moved up following a series of domestic ex-works deals since mid-September, while in the US the price fell for the seventh consecutive month.
The Chinese grade 553 silicon export price was assessed at $1,660-1,730 per tonne on Friday October 12, up 0.6% from $1,650-1,720 per tonne previously. Domestic Chinese ex-works prices have been rising since mid-September, which has placed upward pressure on export prices, market participants said. "Domestic ex-works prices have rallied for about 400 yuan ($58) per tonne since the mid-Autumn Festival [on September 24]," a first Chinese trader said. Meanwhile, tight supply of low grade silicon metals, such as grade 553 and grade 441, added to the bullish sentiment among suppliers amid the looming dry season from November to March when the majority of refineries in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces halt operations. Silicon refineries in the Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, key production hubs for grade-553 silicon metal, curtail production in winter when they cannot access lower-cost hydro power. "Supply for grade 553 and 441 silicon metals are in constraints, meanwhile, demand...