Prices of high-carbon silicon fell slightly in China

This week, baosteel reported a 400 yuan/ton drop to 4,500 yuan/ton in cash in December, with most producers cutting prices. At present, the mainstream transaction price of high-carbon silicon 52%min C 8% Max in the Chinese market is 4,250-4,750 yuan/ton ex-factory cash, down 100 yuan/ton from last week. Industry insiders expect the next week of high carbon silicon prices weak stability.

"We are currently offering high carbon silicon at 4,800 yuan/ton ex-factory cash, and the lowest acceptable price is 100 yuan/ton lower than last week," said a producer in north China. The producer added that it sold about 30 tons on Wednesday for 4,600 yuan a ton and nearly 65 tons over the weekend for 4,300 yuan a ton. Baosteel's bid price for high-carbon silicon fell by 400 yuan/ton in December, and they also cut the price accordingly to maintain customers. They expect the price of high-carbon silicon to be weak and stable in the coming week.

The producer has an annual capacity of 50,000 tons, a total output of about 48,000 tons in 2018 and nearly 42,500 tons in the first 11 months of 2019. It is expected to produce about 4,000 tons in December, unchanged from the previous month.

"We are currently offering a high carbon silicon 52%min C 8% Max price of 4,600 yuan/ton delivered in cash, including freight of 300 yuan/ton, and the minimum acceptable price is 100 yuan/ton lower than last week," a trader in east China said, adding that baosteel announced this week a 400 yuan/ton reduction in December bids for high carbon silicon to 4,500 yuan/ton delivered in cash. This week, their downstream customers asked for a price cut. Although their current delivery inventory is purchased at the long-term negotiated price in November, they have not negotiated the December price with the supplier. In order to maintain customers, they reduced the price by 100 yuan/ton this week. At the start of the week, they sold about 30 tons for 6,100 yuan a ton and nearly 65 tons at 4,550 yuan a ton last weekend. They expect high carbon and silicon prices to stabilize in the coming week.

The trader has a regular monthly trade volume of nearly 2,000 tons, with a total sales volume of nearly 20,000 tons in 2018 and nearly 20,000 tons in the first 11 months of 2019. It is expected to sell about 2,000 tons in December, with the same monthly sales volume. Currently, there is no inventory.