[SMM Chrome Daily Review] Sluggish Trading, Bearish Expectations

On June 8, 2026, retail quotations for high-carbon ferrochrome remained unchanged, with Inner Mongolia high-carbon ferrochrome flat at 8,250-8,400 yuan/mt (50% metal content).

At the start of the week, the ferrochrome market stayed in the doldrums, with most participants adopting a wait-and-see approach and trading activity remaining sluggish. On the demand side, downstream stainless steel production cuts were limited, and production schedules saw minor adjustments. However, with the official onset of the off-season for consumption, end-use demand was weak, steel mill profits narrowed, and mills showed limited willingness to purchase ferrochrome as a raw material. Recent inquiries and transactions remained insufficient. On the supply side, relying on the advantage of lower electricity prices during the rainy season, some ferrochrome producers in south China resumed production. Combined with normal operations at most northern plants, ferrochrome output stayed high. Additionally, South African ferrochrome entered a phase of full-scale production resumptions, leading to a steady slight rebound in China’s ferrochrome imports. The oversupply situation gradually became more apparent, continuously weighing on ferrochrome prices. Ferrochrome producers largely held bearish expectations for next month’s steel mill tender prices, and in the short term, the ferrochrome market is expected to mainly move sideways.

On the raw material side, on June 8, 2026, quotations at Tianjin port for 40-42% South African fines, 40-42% Turkish lump ore, and 48-50% Zimbabwean fines were lowered by 0.25 yuan from the previous trading day. On the CIF futures front, the latest quotation for 40-42% South African fines was $290/mt.

At the start of the week, the chrome ore market was in the doldrums, with spot quotations continuing to decline. Chrome ore inventory stayed high at 4.4 million mt, and the structural divergence showed no signs of improvement. Supply of South African fines was ample, increasing pressure on suppliers. Coupled with limited inquiry and purchase demand from European ferrochrome plants, prices edged lower recently. Spot supply of mainstream chrome ores and high-grade chrome concentrates was relatively tight, leaving limited downside room in the short term. On the futures front, the most-traded South African fines from overseas mines were quoted at $290/mt, but traders showed little enthusiasm for purchasing, resulting in subdued actual transactions. Overseas market quotations for other chrome ores were lowered to varying degrees, but a tug-of-war stalemate persisted between buyers and sellers. The market is expected to mainly remain in the doldrums in the short term, with attention on the release of downstream demand and the next round of futures quotations.