[Ferro-alloys.com]Minor metal prices showed a little strength last week. Bismuth prices narrowed to $9.50-.9.75 per lb compared to $9.35-9.75. Some consumers, sensing that prices are on the rise, have put in requests to buy forward, suppliers said. US antimony prices continue to lag prices in Europe. US traders still are losing out to sellers offering metal in the $5.50s. “We really can’t afford to sell at below $5.80 because of our replacement costs,” said a trader. Chinese antimony exporters have boosted their prices to $12,400-12,700 per mt. A European trader said he had sold a small quantity of metal in Rotterdam at just above $12,800.
Western indium suppliers have been successful in selling small quantities at higher prices. Spot prices rose to $520-550 per kg compared to $510-530.
Japan’s indium imports increased to 21,631 kg in August as compared to 13,791 kg in July but were substantially below imports of 43,922 kg in August 2011. Imports from Korea were 11,372 kg, accounting for 52.6% of total imports, up from 7,917 kg in July and down from 20,939 kg from August 2011. The second largest supplier to Japan in August was the US, with 4,545 kg, up from 50 kg in July and up from 2,439 kg August 2011. Japan recorded no imports from China in August compared to 9,050 kg in August 2011. Imports were (with August 2011 in parentheses): Canada, 2,115 kg (5,359 kg) and Taiwan, 1,632 kg (297 kg); the UK, 1,200 kg (5,439 kg)
The average c.i.f. import prices in August were: ￥40,006 ($510) per kg from Korea; ￥37,269 ($475) from Canada; ￥37,050 ($472) from Taiwan and ￥35,777 ($456) from the UK.
Japan’s indium imports for the first eight months fell 69% to 114,677 kg from 371,609 kg for the same 2011 period. For the first eight months of 2012?(same 2011 period in parentheses, imports were: 59,488 kg (147,514 kg) from Korea; 18,150 kg (38,773 kg) from Canada; 12,425 kg (4,381 kg) from the US; 7,069 kg (17,154 kg) from Taiwan; 6,351 kg (103,585 kg) from China; 3,012 kg (48,097 kg) the UK; 5,268 kg (3,203 kg) from Peru and 2,066 kg from (5,143 kg) from Laos.

• [Editor:editor]