Supply Recovery Releases Shipments, Weak Demand Keeps Magnesium Market Consolidating on a Weak Note [SMM Magnesium Weekly Review]
[SMM Magnesium Weekly Review: Supply Recovery Releases Output; Weak Demand Keeps the Magnesium Market in the Doldrums] The mainstream quotation for 99.90% magnesium ingot from main production areas stood at 15,750‑15,850 yuan/mt this week, down 50 yuan/mt WoW, with FOB prices reported at $2,240‑2,340/mt, averaging $2,290/mt. Magnesium ingot prices moved lower in a stepwise manner during the week. Production resumptions at enterprises under maintenance increased supply, lifting in-factory inventory pressure. Some producers made shipments at reduced margins, but the cost side limited the downside. Inquiries from outside China picked up somewhat, yet clients mainly drew down their own inventories, resulting in limited order growth and pronounced pressure for lower prices. Combined with disruptions from new export regulations, exchange rates, and ocean freight rates, traders were cautious in taking orders. Upstream dolomite prices remained flat; with mines idled, enterprises sourced supplies through multiple channels, keeping overall resources ample. Downstream magnesium powder and magnesium alloys followed the weakness in magnesium ingot. Processing fees for magnesium powder came under pressure, with steel mills making only just-in-time procurement. Magnesium alloys faced abundant spot inventory and aggressive competition among peers, while demand was further squeezed by high‑temperature maintenance at die‑casting plants and substitution by plastics in two‑wheelers, keeping processing fees under persistent pressure. In the short term, cost support and sluggish demand will continue to wrestle, leaving magnesium prices to consolidate on a weak note, awaiting order recovery after the overseas summer break.