Indian antimony market dips

BEIJING (Asian Metal) 2 Jul 07 – With slow demand in the spot market, Chinese suppliers decreased their offers of antimony in the export market. Indian market participants reported to Asian Metal that the price of antimony ingot they received from Chinese suppliers have lowered from USD5,200/t to currently USD5,100/t CIF India ports.
A Mumbai trader told Asian Metal that the demand of antimony ingot is slow in India, and the price he received from China is at USD5,100/t CIF Nhava Sheva for the standard 99.65%min grade two antimony ingot. He checked with his consumers, and no one showed interest in the material lately.
Although Indians do not take holidays in summer as the Europeans and Americans, consumers also hold off from purchasing when they see price is decreasing. “We might see some buying activity when price drops to USD5,000/t.” That is the price he thinks would be attractive to the Indian consumers.
Another Mumbai trader received offers in the range of USD5,100-5,300/t CIF Nhava Sheva for antimony ingot from Chinese suppliers, and the price range covers all grades from grade two to grade zero. Market is quiet and he had not concluded any deals of antimony in the last three weeks.
“This may be a downward cycle, that Chinese would lower prices to prompt sale, and consumers will hold longer from buying when price is decreasing.” The source thinks the market will remain quiet for a few weeks before it recovers in August.