European antimony price keeps high

BEIJING (Asian Metal) 8 May 08 – As ports and rivers cleared up in Vietnam a week ago, European market participants feel there are more materials available, but the antimony price remains in a high level.
An official from a European manufacturer told Asian Metal that he is buying 99.65%min low bismuth grade two antimony ingot in the range of USD6,270-6,300/t CIF European port or in warehouse Rotterdam.
"Since last week after the ports in Vietnam got cleared up, I feel there are more materials available, but prices are still very high." The source holds the prevailing price in the range of USD6,250-6,350/t in warehouse Rotterdam for the low bismuth grade two antimony ingot.
According to him, the market is a little slow in Europe as the whole economy is affected by the U.S. recession. "I am a little pessimistic about the market, and I think it may not recover before the U.S. election ends, which will be in November," said the source and expects the market would see many changes in December.
A European trader confirmed the price in the range of USD6,200-6,400/t CIF Rotterdam. He told Asian Metal, “I also received offers of regular grade two antimony ingot at above USD6,500/t CIF Rotterdam, but the price is not that high yet.”
Commenting on demand, he sees market is a little slow that some consumers are holding back from buying and waiting for cheaper material now, but he believes price will keep at the current level for the next few weeks. “We may see antimony price dropping during summer, but until then the price of antimony is likely to keep at the current level or around USD6,500/t.”