The past year of 2013 was defined as a year of Chinese currency keeping appreciating against the US dollar

Over the recent years high export tariff of 20-25% on ferroalloys by the Chinese government had deprived price competitiveness of Chinese ferroalloys

In mid December of 2013 Chinese Ministry of Finance announced 2014 export tariff scheme which pointed out 2014 provisional export tariff remained 20-25% on ferroalloys

Since early Jan., calcium silicon export market continued the weak condition in China.

Silicon metal prices are up again over the past week to 129-134￠ per lb, ex-warehouse, but market participants expect greater increases in the near-term.