Antimony ingot price goes up in Russia

BEIJING (Asian Metal) 5 Aug 08 – According to Russian participants, the supply of antimony ingot becomes tight which lead to the price ascending this week. Sources contribut the reason to there are few producers in the local market and only one can carry out its normal production, besides we received more inquiries this week. Currently the mainstream concluded price of antimony ingot 99.65%min is RUB185- 190/kg (USD7,890-8,100/t) d.d.p. in the spot market, up by RUB20/kg (USD850/t) compared with RUB165- 170/kg (USD7,040-7,252/t) last week.
A Russian smelter said that the market becomes a little active as some participants return to the spot market to make purchases this week. “We increased our offers for antimony ingot 99.65%min to RUB195/kg (USD8,320/t) this week from RUB175/kg (USD7,466/t) last week, as more inquiries come from consumers this week ” said the source.
The source disclosed that some participants make purchases actively because they are afraid of the antimony ingot price to go up further. The source who produces100 tons of antimony ingot per month believes that the price of antimony ingot may go up to RUB200/kg (USD8,532/t).
A Russian trader sold 10 tons of antimony ingot 99.65%min at RUB188/kg (USD8,020/t) d.d.p. this week. The source revealed that some participants could not accept this price last week, but they are afraid of the price continue to rise and begin to purchase the material by small volumes this week.
The source revealed that they raise their offers for antimony ingot 99.65%min to RUB195/kg (USD8,320/t) from RUB180/kg (USD7,680/t) last week. He believes that the Russian antimony ingot market may keep strong in the short term and the price may go up further.