China Silicon Metal Production Edged Up in May; What's June Outlook?

SMM News, May 29:

According to SMM data, China's silicon metal production in May was 331,300 mt, up 3.6% MoM and up 7.6% YoY. Cumulative silicon metal production from January to May 2026 was 1.6319 million mt, up 6% YoY.

The MoM increase in silicon metal operating rates in May was limited. The MoM increase in production was attributable to, on the one hand, one more production day in May, and on the other hand, production resumptions at individual silicon enterprises in Sichuan and other regions.

Entering June, the pattern of simultaneous increases in both supply and demand for silicon metal is clear. On the supply side, major producing regions including Yunnan, Sichuan, and Xinjiang all have expectations of increased output — Yunnan and Sichuan due to production resumptions during the rainy season, and Xinjiang due to production increases from the restart of temporarily halted silicon furnaces. In June, electricity prices in Sichuan and Yunnan during the rainy season will see slight downward adjustments, but with the sluggish silicon metal market, some silicon enterprises remain on the sidelines regarding production resumptions, and some Yunnan silicon enterprises plan to resume production in mid-June. Overall, silicon metal production in June is expected to increase MoM to above 360,000 mt.