Covid-19-related shutdowns of automotive plants across North America could cost US automakers at least 900,000 vehicle sales this year, reducing steel demand, according to industry estimates.

The 2009 ferrosilicon contract price on ZCE closed at 5690 yuan per ton on April 24.

The ferrosilicon market was temporarily stable this week.

The steel industry was affected by the virus in the first quarter of 2020.

The 2009 ferrosilicon contract price on ZCE closed at 5662 yuan per ton on April 23.

"More closures would be necessary, as demand shows little sign of recovery," said one US mining firm.

The 2009 ferrosilicon contract price on ZCE closed at 5708 yuan per ton on April 22.

Integrated steelmaker ArcelorMittal is taking a planned outage at one of the blast furnaces at its Burns Harbor mill.