China Silicon Metal Shipments Jump in March

This is a roundup of China's metals weekly inventory as of November 19.

The social inventories of silicon metal across Huangpu port, Kunming city and Tianjin port increased 3,000 mt from the previous week to 58,000 mt as of Friday October 15.

This is a roundup of China's metals weekly inventory as of October 15.

The silicon metal prices surged broadly by over 120% in September from the previous month, with 553# silicon with oxygen leading the gains. As of September 30, 553# silicon with oxygen in east China stood at 59,000 yuan/mt, up 154% on the month. The short supply of spot amid extensive power rationing in Yunnan and Sichuan was the main reason for the short-term surge of prices. While the production costs also increased on the back of rising prices of raw materials such as clean coal, supporting the silicon metal prices as well.

Traders and downstream consumers in China’s silicon market held back from buying in May in anticipation of growing supply.

Offers of chemical-grade silicon dipped on Thursday May 17 as transactions were few

Silicon plants in north China, especially in Xinjiang, are now keener to destock after a week of slow transactions

Demand would be the key thing to watch for silicon prices in the short term as prices have been dropping even before the dry season ends.

Silicon plants in Sichuan has been suspended production recently.

Yunnan government requires local silicon metal plants to equip desulfuration facility before December, SMM understands.