Germanium prices remain stable with intense market competition [SMM Germanium Market Analysis]

SMM News on June 20: This week, the domestic germanium market price remained stable, with low-priced resources of germanium dioxide and germanium ingots disappearing from the market. The price of germanium dioxide drove the price of germanium ingots into a stable consolidation phase, and the overall germanium market once again entered a stage where buyers and sellers were testing each other. However, the current market's bullish and bearish competition pattern is gradually becoming apparent. Manufacturers have significantly different sales and supply policies for end-users and trade links, leading to significant price discrepancies in the market. Supply side, some manufacturers continued to increase shipments to reduce inventory and realize cash, holding firm on downstream orders. However, some large manufacturers maintained firm external quotes. Demand side, the recent buying enthusiasm of buyers in both infrared and optical fiber end-user markets remained notably low. The overall order situation has been relatively weak recently. Nevertheless, many industry insiders admitted that the possibility of a deterioration in the supply-demand fundamentals is relatively small, and the likelihood of a continued decline in the prices of germanium ingots and germanium dioxide has also become very small. Therefore, the shipping strategies of some manufacturers have recently shifted to refusing to budge on prices and hoarding goods for sale. Currently, the average price of germanium ingots is 14,900 yuan/kg, and the average price of germanium dioxide is 10,050 yuan/kg.

According to SMM, Guangxi Yusheng Germanium High-Tech Co., Ltd. has started public tender sales of its germanium ingots and germanium dioxide from today. Specifically, according to official information, this batch of goods includes 1,000 kg of germanium dioxide and 1,000 kg of zone-refined germanium ingots, all of which are spot cargo. The cargo pick-up time must be before June 30, 2025, and the content will be subject to laboratory analysis. The minimum bid quantity is 300 kg for germanium dioxide and 200 kg for zone-refined germanium ingots. The competitive tender prices are 10,600 yuan/kg for germanium dioxide and 16,000 yuan/kg for zone-refined germanium ingots. The delivery method is self pick-up by the buyer, with the buyer bearing the freight costs. The tender period ends on June 22, 2025. Some market insiders stated that this tender price is relatively high, and whether the transaction is completed will determine the trend of germanium prices in the near future.