[SMM Analysis] Market Participants Have Become More Rational, and Grain-Oriented Silicon Steel Prices May Fluctuate Rangebound Next Week

Published: Mar 20, 2026 13:38
[Market Participants Became More Rational in Sentiment, and Grain-Oriented Silicon Steel Prices May Fluctuate Rangebound Next Week] In terms of transactions, the procurement pace of end-use industries such as downstream transformers and power equipment slowed down, and purchase willingness remained cautious, with procurement mainly consisting of small-volume, as-needed restocking orders, while large-volume purchasing activity was scarce, resulting in relatively low actual market trading activity. In addition, resources from steel mills’ earlier directed orders arrived successively, and traders’ circulating inventory accumulated steadily. Some merchants offered slight price concessions to accelerate turnover and boost shipments, but the overall room for concessions remained limited and failed to effectively lift transactions.

GO Silicon Steel Price Update

Shanghai B23R085 grade: 11,600-11,600 yuan/mt

Wuhan 23RK085 grade: 11,200-11,200 yuan/mt

This week, the GO silicon steel market mainly fluctuated upward, with prices of some grades rising slightly. Overall trading sentiment was average, and wait-and-see sentiment persisted throughout the week.

According to market feedback, GO silicon steel prices in Shanghai rose slightly by 100 yuan/mt this week, while prices in Wuhan remained temporarily stable. Leading steel mills such as Baowu did not introduce new pricing adjustment policies, and base order prices remained at previous levels, though some procurement discounts were canceled, indirectly pushing up purchasing costs. The slight strengthening in ferrous metals futures this week had limited spillover effects on GO silicon steel. The supply and demand fundamentals of GO silicon steel did not change significantly, and prices lacked the core driving force for wild swings.

In terms of transactions, the procurement pace of downstream end-use industries such as transformers and power equipment slowed down, and purchase willingness remained cautious, with procurement mainly focused on small-lot restocking based on immediate needs. Bulk procurement was scarce, and actual market trading activity was relatively weak. In addition, resources from steel mills' earlier directed orders arrived one after another, and traders' circulating inventory accumulated steadily. Some merchants offered slight concessions to accelerate turnover and boost shipments, but the overall room for concessions was limited and failed to effectively lift transactions.

Currently, market participants have become more rational in sentiment, with neither blind rush to buy amid continuous price rise nor sharply bearish expectations. Most are closely watching steel mills' subsequent pricing policies and the release of downstream orders. Overall, the GO silicon steel market is expected to maintain a stable trend next week, mainly consolidating within a narrow range.

 

Data Source Statement: Except for public information, all other data is processed and derived by SMM based on public information, market communication, and SMM's internal database model, and is for reference only and does not constitute decision-making advice.

Note: This article is an original article of this official account. If you have needs related to reprinting, whitelisting, or cooperation, please contact us. Without permission, it may not be reprinted, modified, used, sold, transferred, displayed, translated, compiled, disseminated, disclosed to any third party in any other form, or licensed for use by any third party. Otherwise, once discovered, SMM will pursue legal action to hold the infringing party liable, including but not limited to requiring the assumption of liability for breach of contract, the return of unjust enrichment, and compensation for direct and indirect economic losses.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM's internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or for more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
【Sasol Plans to Cut External Coal Purchases in FY2027 and Raise Own-Mine Output to 34 Million Tons by 2028】
1 min ago
【Sasol Plans to Cut External Coal Purchases in FY2027 and Raise Own-Mine Output to 34 Million Tons by 2028】
Read More
【Sasol Plans to Cut External Coal Purchases in FY2027 and Raise Own-Mine Output to 34 Million Tons by 2028】
【Sasol Plans to Cut External Coal Purchases in FY2027 and Raise Own-Mine Output to 34 Million Tons by 2028】
South Africa’s Sasol plans to increase investment in its own coal mines to secure feedstock for its Secunda Operations while reducing coal purchases from third-party suppliers. The company produced 28.4 million tons of coal from its own mines in FY2026 and expects this to increase to between 30 million and 32 million tons in FY2027, before rising further to 34 million tons by 2028. Meanwhile, Sasol expects its external coal purchases to decline from 8.8 million tons in FY2026 to between 5 million and 7 million tons in FY2027. This represents a reduction of between 1.8 million and 3.8 million tons, or approximately 20.5% to 43.2%. The change primarily reflects Sasol’s substitution of externally purchased coal with own-mine production and does not indicate an equivalent decline in its overall coal requirements. The company said that increasing the share of own-mine coal would help maintain consistent coal quality, secure feedstock supplies and improve cost competitiveness. Sasol invested R1 billion to convert the Twistdraai export-coal washing plant into a destoning facility. The facility is now delivering processed coal with sinks below 12%. Improved coal quality, higher gasifier availability and the absence of a shutdown in FY2026 collectively supported an increase in annual output at Secunda Operations to a five-year high of 7.2 million tons. With a scheduled shutdown planned for FY2027, the company expects the facility to produce between 7.2 million and 7.4 million tons during the year. Mining capital expenditure increased from R2.9 billion in FY2024 to R4.1 billion in FY2026 and is expected to rise by a further R1 billion to R1.5 billion in FY2027, including investment in a shaft-replacement project. In addition, Sasol is assessing the production of methane-rich gas from coal as a bridge supply for industrial customers that could face a gas supply shortage from 2028 onward. However, the project still requires greater long-term pricing certainty and further regulatory assessment, and the company has not yet made a final investment decision.
1 min ago
【Sical Logistics Wins Five-Year Indian Mining Contract Covering About 9.1 Million Tonnes of Coal】
2 mins ago
【Sical Logistics Wins Five-Year Indian Mining Contract Covering About 9.1 Million Tonnes of Coal】
Read More
【Sical Logistics Wins Five-Year Indian Mining Contract Covering About 9.1 Million Tonnes of Coal】
【Sical Logistics Wins Five-Year Indian Mining Contract Covering About 9.1 Million Tonnes of Coal】
Indian integrated logistics and engineering services company Sical Logistics has secured a five-year mining contract worth approximately ₹5.3473 billion from Central Coalfields Limited for heavy earth-moving and mining operations at the SDOC Mine in Bokaro district, Jharkhand. The contract covers the re-handling of approximately 20.14 million cubic metres of overburden, the removal of around 33.65 million cubic metres of hard overburden, and the extraction of approximately 9.104 million tonnes of coal from a 143-hectare working area. The contract value includes an 18% goods and services tax, while the execution period is 1,825 days. A simple five-year average would place the contracted coal volume at approximately 1.82 million tonnes per year.
2 mins ago
【India’s ECL Begins Precautionary Sealing at Khandra Colliery】
2 mins ago
【India’s ECL Begins Precautionary Sealing at Khandra Colliery】
Read More
【India’s ECL Begins Precautionary Sealing at Khandra Colliery】
【India’s ECL Begins Precautionary Sealing at Khandra Colliery】
Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) said on August 31 that it had begun precautionary sealing measures at Khandra Colliery in the Raniganj coal belt. Surface cracks and ground subsidence were first observed near the Nikanth Temple on July 28. ECL said unauthorised structures and illegal occupants in the affected area had restricted surface-filling work. As the cracks could not be properly filled, external air could enter the underground workings, aggravate the spontaneous heating of residual coal and further increase the risk of spontaneous combustion. ECL therefore initiated the sealing measures to protect employees and surrounding areas and will continue monitoring conditions at the site. Existing employees will be redeployed to other units of the same mine or neighbouring mines according to operational requirements. The sealing measures will not disrupt existing water or electricity supplies to residential quarters. ECL has not determined how long the sealing will remain in place and rejected reports suggesting that the colliery could be sealed for three months. The final duration will be determined based on expert advice, technical assessments and established mine-safety requirements.
2 mins ago
Register to Continue Reading
Gain access to the latest insights in metals and new energy
Already have an account?Sign in here
[SMM Analysis] Market Participants Have Become More Rational, and Grain-Oriented Silicon Steel Prices May Fluctuate Rangebound Next Week - Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)