Chrome ore prices touched recent highs, driven by demand [Weekly Chrome Ore Review]

[Magnesium Weekly Production and Operating Rate Flat, Inventory Trends Diverge] From May 15 to May 21, weekly production at sampled magnesium plants nationwide was 23,576 mt, with a weekly operating rate of 77.4%, basically flat WoW.

[SMM Analysis] Demand Resilience Persists at Tail End of Peak Season, Stainless Steel Social Inventory Continues Destocking On May 21, SMM reported that stainless steel social inventory continued its mild destocking trend this week. Total inventory across the two core markets of Wuxi and Foshan pulled back slightly, dropping from 947,100 mt on May 14, 2026 to 939,200 mt on May 21, down 0.83% WoW, sustaining a mild destocking pattern. Stainless steel market prices were overall in the doldrums this week. Against the backdrop of declining prices, traders generally felt weak market conditions, and wait-and-see sentiment intensified. However, end-use demand demonstrated strong resilience. The market is still at the tail end of the traditional peak consumption season, and downstream end-user just-in-time procurement transactions remained generally stable, without concentrated purchasing halts due to weakening futures or subdued market sentiment, continuously supporting the digestion of market supplies. Meanwhile, steel mill agents proactively cut prices and actively pushed shipments, accelerating the depletion of circulating market supplies. Multiple factors jointly drove stainless steel social inventory to pull back slightly further this week. Overall, sustained release of end-user just-in-time procurement combined with proactive shipments from steel mills jointly dominated the mild destocking trend in inventory this week. Currently, stainless steel mills still maintain reasonable profit margins with strong production willingness, and overall production is expected to stay high, with sustained pressure on the market supply side. As the traditional peak consumption season gradually draws to a close, downstream consumption is about to enter the off-season, and subsequent demand pullback will exert notable pressure on continued inventory destocking. In the short term, inventory is expected to continue its mild destocking trend, but the degree of destocking will most likely slow down gradually. Going forward, close attention should be paid to the sustainability of downstream just-in-time procurement, steel mill production schedules and delivery pace, peak season...

[SMM Magnesium Weekly Review: Weak Supply-Demand Pattern, Magnesium Market Fluctuated Downward Overall This Week] China's magnesium industry chain was overall in the doldrums this week. Upstream, the dolomite market remained stable. In Shanxi production areas, some capacity was shut down due to environmental protection-related controls, tightening quality supply sources. However, supply from other regions quickly filled the gap, keeping overall supply sufficient. Combined with ample raw material reserves at primary magnesium enterprises, only just-in-time procurement was maintained, and dolomite prices remained stable. In major production areas, primary magnesium operations were stable, spot supply was sufficient, producers were active in shipments, and industry competition intensified. Some enterprises offered price concessions to facilitate transactions, driving magnesium ingot prices into a sustained gradual decline. Downstream, end-user wait-and-see sentiment was strong. Influenced by the mentality to rush to buy amid continuous price rise and hold back amid price downturn, most made just-in-time procurement only, with large orders scarce. The market exhibited a pattern of strong supply and weak demand. Export quotations were adjusted downward in tandem, and ex-China trading was sluggish. In deep processing, magnesium powder operations pulled back slightly, with expectations of tightening supply going forward. However, demand in and outside China lacked sufficient support, and the market moved sideways. Magnesium alloy enterprises maintained stable operations, with some inventory accumulating slightly. Industry orders diverged, and price spreads among quotations continued to widen. Downstream demand was mixed, with new energy vehicle demand seeing steady release while two-wheeler demand remained persistently weak. Overall demand support was soft, supply was relatively ample, and prices were in the doldrums in tandem with magnesium ingot.