[SMM Chromium Daily Review] Market in the doldrums, transactions remain sluggish.

Published: Jun 11, 2026 13:41

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[SMM Chrome Daily: Market in the Doldrums, Transactions Remain Sluggish] June 11, 2026: The ferrochrome and chrome ore markets fluctuated slightly...

On June 11, 2026, retail quotations for high-carbon ferrochrome remained unchanged, with Inner Mongolia high-carbon ferrochrome at 8,250-8,300 yuan/mt (50% metal content).

The ferrochrome market was stable during the day. Chrome ore prices continued to decline, dragging down spot smelting costs and weakening price support. Producers lacked confidence in holding prices firm, with some offering discounts to facilitate sales, pushing ferrochrome prices lower amid fluctuations. Downstream, stainless steel consumption entered the off-season, with sluggish demand and a slow procurement pace. Overall market trading sentiment was sluggish. Most participants adopted a wait-and-see stance ahead of mainstream steel mills' tender prices next month. Expectations were largely bearish, and the ferrochrome market is expected to remain in the doldrums in the short term.

Raw materials: On June 11, 2026, spot offers for 40-42% South African chrome ore powder, 40-42% Turkish lump ore, and 48-50% Zimbabwean chrome ore powder at Tianjin port were flat from the previous trading day. In the CIF futures market, the latest quote for 40-42% South African chrome ore powder was $285/mt.

The chrome ore market remained in the doldrums during the day, with sluggish trading persisting. In the spot market, chrome ore prices fell across the board, with South African powder offers continuing to weaken. Some suppliers offered concessions to facilitate transactions. Downstream ferrochrome producers mostly held a wait-and-see stance, with limited inquiry and purchasing interest, focusing on just-in-time procurement. Actual transactions were sluggish. In the futures market, offers from major overseas mines for South African chrome ore powder fell MoM. Trader purchase willingness was weak, with most monitoring downstream demand release and holding strong bearish expectations. Buyers and sellers remained in a stalemate. The chrome ore market is expected to extend its pattern of remaining in the doldrums in the short term.

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.

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