Antimony export market unchanged

The export market for antimony ingot remains unchanged. While Chinese state-owned exporting enterprises still complain their offers of USD5,700-5,800/t FOB are unacceptable for foreign buyers, concluded deals have been reported at USD5,500-5,600/t FOB.

A Japanese trader reported that offers from Chinese state-owned exporting enterprises are as high as USD5,750-5,800/t FOB, USD150-200/t higher than those offered by some others suppliers. "We can understand why Chinese exporters hold the high offer as their purchasing price runs high and the export of the material is restrained according to the export policy," said the source. "However, neither consumers nor us cannot accept the price."

The source trades small quantities of antimony ingot, and only buys one or two containers after receiving inquiries from customers. The source claimed that they could obtain antimony ingot at a level slightly higher than USD5,600/t CIF Japan but acknowledged that those materials might be shipped out of China through illegal ways.

A Guangdong-based trader revealed that demand of antimony ingot from Asian market is not strong. "Major consumers usually sign long-term supplying contracts to satisfy the demand for production, and some-to-medium consumers only buy from hand to mouth due to the high price" said the source.

The source did not conclude any antimony ingot deals in the past week and reported some Korean and Japanese buyers would not like to accept the offer of around USD5,600/t FOB. Meanwhile, the quotation of USD5,650/t CIF Rotterdam was also turned down buy European customers.