Antimony prices keep stable

BEIJING (Asian Metal) 13 Apr 07 –Chinese antimony market continues to be quiet due to low demand. Prices for 99.65%min antimony ingot and 99.5%min antimony trioxide remain at RMB40,500-41,500/t (USD5,239-5,369/t) ex works and RMB36,500-37,500/t (USD4,722-4,851/t) ex works respectively.
A Guangzhou-based trader said that they have no deals concluded recently. “The market is slack as before. Prices keep stable at RMB36,000-37,000/t (USD4,657-4,787/t) ex works for antimony trioxide and about RMB41,000/t (USD5,304/t) ex works for antimony ingot, but inquiries are few,” reported the source.
“In my opinion, there is little possibility of prices going down in the near future under the current situation. However, if demand continues to be weak, it is difficult for suppliers to hold high prices,” said the source.
A Guangdong-based producer disclosed to Asian Metal that they have regular consumers in Zhujiang Delta, who, despite the sluggish market, buy up to 100t of antimony from the company every month. “We are just selling materials to our reliable consumers with a little higher price than the free market, which is over RMB37,000/t (USD4,787/t) ex works now,” said the source. "No matter the market trend, we are guarantted of selling 100tpm."
According to the source, the market is more likely to keep stable in the short term as supply of raw materials is still tight.