[SMM Chromium Daily Review] Chromium Market Operates Steadily on First Day After Holiday, Awaiting Steel Tender Pricing

On February 24, 2026, ex-factory prices for high-carbon ferrochrome in Inner Mongolia were 8,500-8,600 yuan/mt (50% metal content); in Sichuan and north-west China, ex-factory prices for high-carbon ferrochrome were 8,500-8,700 yuan/mt (50% metal content); in east China, offers for high-carbon ferrochrome were 8,700-8,800 yuan/mt (50% metal content), flat MoM from the previous trading day. For imported ferrochrome, offers for Indian high-carbon ferrochrome were 8,600-8,700 yuan/mt (50% metal content); offers for Kazakh high-carbon ferrochrome were 9,500-9,700 yuan/mt (50% metal content), flat MoM from the previous trading day.

On the first day after the holiday, the ferrochrome market operated mainly steadily, with no adjustments to offers. Approaching the steel tender cycle, the market mostly awaited pricing from mainstream steel mills, and trading atmosphere was relatively mediocre. Considering the stimulus from the peak consumption season of "Golden March, Silver April", downstream stainless steel ended maintenance and production rebounded, which may increase procurement demand for ferrochrome. Coupled with high chrome ore prices and elevated production costs, these strongly supported producers' willingness to hold prices firm.

Raw material side, on February 24, 2026, spot offers for 40-42% South African fines at Tianjin Port were 57.5-58 yuan/mtu; offers for 40-42% South African raw ore were 52-54 yuan/mtu; offers for 46-48% Zimbabwean chrome concentrate powder were 59-60 yuan/mtu; offers for 48-50% Zimbabwean chrome concentrate ore were 60-61 yuan/mtu; offers for 40-42% Turkish chrome lump ore were 64-65 yuan/mtu; offers for 46-48% Turkish chrome concentrate powder were 65-66 yuan/mtu, flat MoM from the previous trading day. For futures, the latest offer for 40-42% South African fines was $297/mt, flat MoM.

During the day, the chrome ore market operated steadily, with futures and spot offers holding steady at highs, and adjustment range was limited. Spot side, trading atmosphere was mediocre on the first day after the holiday, with no concentrated transactions. Futures side, the last round of offer prices for South African 40-42% chrome concentrate powder before the holiday held flat at $297/mt, market participants mostly adopted a wait-and-see attitude, awaiting subsequent market dynamics and steel tender price guidance.