The price of low-grade silicon metal in the Chinese domestic market maintained being flat from the end of December, and there is no indication the realization sales will take place before Chinese New Year holiday (18th to 24th of February). Such reasons for the above are provided as many of producers have already suspended operation due to the price remaining in the doldrums, comparatively high electricity rates for a low-water season have been applied in the southern region as a main production area and the transportation cost has become comparatively high due to the transportation methods being lost to coal.

On the other hand, the offer price for export rose by US$50 - US$80 in late this month. It is obvious the port stock for February shipment is not enough, but many of trading firms are wondering which are moving to purchase while thinking there is no ground for sharp price hike.

In Japan, the cheap products became scarce and the price made a slight recovery from the price decrease in the beginning of the month. Besides, some trading firms are trying to raise its offer price to the customers following the hike in offer prices in China. However, the demand in the Japanese domestic market is weak because no big consumption can't be expected during January to March, and the current contract price stays at being raised by around US$30 per ton.

• [Editor:tianxiao]