Antimony market summary

BEIJING (Asian Metal) 28 Dec 09 - Antimony products market becomes quiet during the week although prices remain firm. Antimony ingot producers intend to raise offers further in view of the shortage of antimony ore while higher antimony ingot prices as well as tight supply of the material leave antimony trioxide uneasy, who have to increase offers accordingly to offset the rising cost.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com PKAF
Prevalent offers for antimony ingot 99.65%min in Hunan rise to RMB41,500-42,000/t (USD6,076-6,149/t) ex works while some major producers put their offers at as high as RMB42,500/t (USD6,223/t) ex works for the material, indicating that they have no intention of selling. Small smelters also increase their offers to RMB38,000-38,500/t (USD5,564-5,637/t) ex works VAT excluded for antimony ingot 99.65%min and some consumers reported that they have difficulty in getting antimony ingot 99.9%min at prices lower than RMB39,000/t (USD5,710/t) ex works VAT excluded.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com YCD7
Antimony ingot producers in Yunnan and Guangxi also keep their offers firm at RMB41,000-41,500/t (USD6,003-6,076/t) ex works and RMB40,500-41,000/t (USD5,930-6,003/t) ex works respectively, but they confirmed that not many deals have been concluded in the market partly because some smelters do not have many stocks on hand and partly because consumers think current price too high to accept.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com 845Q
One of the key reasons that antimony ingot producers insist on high offers is the short supply of antimony ore and concentrate. Some antimony ingot producers reported that they are unable to run at full capacity due to lack of raw material, resulting in tight supply of antimony ingot as well.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com TX9M
In view of tight supply of antimony ingot and also the possible increase in the metal, antimony trioxide producers find themselves in dilemma. Some producers reported that they dare not accept new orders, for they cannot make sure the supply of antimony ingot at a reasonable price. Therefore, some producers raise offers of antimony trioxide 99.5%min and 99.8%min to RMB39,000/t (USD5,710/t) ex works to keep away risks. However, few deals have been reportedly concluded at prices higher than RMB38,000/t (USD5,564/t) ex works.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com 6HJI
Export market for antimony ingot and antimony trioxide turns stagnant with most western buyers absent for Christmas and New Year holidays. In line with the increasing price domestically, export offers for antimony ingot and antimony trioxide rise to USD6,100-6,250/t FOB China and USD5,650-5,800/t FOB respectively. Although exporters reported to have received some inquiries from Asian buyers, few deals have been reported.