[SMM Chrome Daily Review] Prices Move Sideways, Trading Remains Sluggish

On June 12, 2026, retail quotations for high-carbon ferrochrome were unchanged, with Inner Mongolia high-carbon ferrochrome at 8,250–8,300 yuan/mt (50% metal content).

The ferrochrome market was mainly in the doldrums this week, and trading sentiment remained sluggish. Downstream stainless steel consumption entered the off-season, demand was weak, and the procurement pace was slow, weighing on ferrochrome prices. Chrome ore prices continued to fall, driving down immediate ferrochrome smelting costs and weakening cost support. On the supply side, although some ferrochrome producers carried out maintenance and production cuts, overall output stayed high and the surplus persisted. Market participants lacked confidence, and expectations were mostly bearish. During the week, retail ferrochrome quotations dropped by 50 yuan/mt (50% metal content) WoW, and they are expected to stay in the doldrums in the near term.

On the raw materials side, on June 12, 2026, quotations at Tianjin port for 40-42% South African fines; 40-42% Turkish lumpy ore; and 48-50% Zimbabwean fines were flat from the prior trading day. On a CIF futures basis, the latest quote for 40-42% South African fines was $285/mt.

The chrome ore market was weak this week, with both spot and futures prices moving lower. In the spot market, chrome ore prices lacked support and quotations showed some divergence. Some suppliers offered discounts to facilitate transactions, with quoted price centers declining steadily; during the week, South African fines quotations fell by 0.75 yuan/mtu WoW. Some traders, constrained by arrivals of high-cost futures cargoes, faced high costs and loss risks and were reluctant to offload cargoes. Downstream ferrochrome producers largely adopted a wait-and-see stance, with limited inquiry and buying interest, and transactions were mainly small-volume deals for rigid demand. On the futures side, offers for 40-42% South African fines from major overseas mines dropped $5 WoW to $285/mt. The overall market held strong bearish expectations, with buyers and sellers locked in a stalemate. The chrome ore market is expected to continue a weak and volatile pattern in the near term.