International antimony market keeps silent

BEIJING (Asian Metal) 27 Jul 07 – In the passed three weeks, antimony is being offered at higher prices in the European market. However, demand remains slow in the market, and market participants reported to Asian Metal that price is a little soft because of the weak demand.
A Belgium trader told Asian Metal that demand of antimony had been really weak in the passed two months that he had not concluded any antimony deal in July. “All consumers claimed they have enough stock so they would not buy at the moment. Plus, this is summer time.”
After the Hunan miners and metal producers closed the production in July, the trader had received higher prices for antimony ingot. According to him, the highest offer he received for standard grade two 99.65%min antimony ingot at USD5,700/t CIF Rotterdam two weeks ago. However, the price dropped to currently USD5,500/t CIF Rotterdam earlier this week.
The source takes that demand will remain weak for at least another three to four weeks, and price is likely to drop. “But it depends on the Chinese suppliers. Price will keep high if they insist on high offers,” said the trader.
A UK trader confirmed the price of antimony is weakening that it is USD100/t lower compared to the price last week. “Demand is so weak, that the suppliers have to lower offers from USD5,650/t CIF Rotterdam to currently USD5,500-5,550/t CIF Rotterdam.”
The source also had not concluded any deals in passed two weeks.