[Ferro-Alloys.com] Silicon metal prices held at high levels this week. Port price of Si553# was RMB12,800-13,100/mt (USD2,049-2,097/mt) and delivery price of Si3303# was RMB13,700-13,900/mt (USD2,193-2,225) at Kunming, Yunnan province. Export prices were as follows: Si553# USD2,100-2,140/mt FOB, 441# USD2,200-2,240/mt FOB, 3303#  USD2,300-2,340/mt FOB, 2202# USD2,440-2,460/mt FOB at Huangpu port.

Supply of Si products continued to be tight on spot market and it’s hard to purchase. High-water season gradually came in the main production regions of Yunnan province, which indicated an increase of spot Si supply. However, most producers were producing Si according to orders. Foreign orders kept increasing, but foreign dealers tried hard to bring down purchase price and Chinese Si exporters didn’t intend to sign orders due to difficult purchase of spot materials. With the improvement of operation rate, there would be more supply of spot Si metal materials in China and dealers predicted the situation of more supply, lower price would appear in later period.

Si quotations held steady on international market. It was €2,250-2,300/mt DDP in Europe with ￠138-145/1b in America.

Concluded from above, it’s thought that Si price was likely to drop with small ranges due to the increase of production cost and Si market transaction was less likely to be affected so much.

• [Editor:Ginna]