Different outlooks on the bismuth market
2005-07-05 09:56:06 【Print】
BEIJING (Asian Metal) 5 Jul 05 - The bismuth price has risen for around twenty days, with quotations up from RMB72,000-75,000/t in early June to RMB76,000-80,000/t presently. As for the short-term bismuth market, smelters, consumers and traders have offered their outlook to Asian Metal.
"We plan to push the price higher," an official from a South China-based smelter said.
Last week, the smelter concluded a deal for 10t of bismuth for USD3.80/lb. This week, the smelter concluded another 10t of bismuth for USD3.85/lb.
Domestically, the smelter quoted RMB78,000/t last week, but recently concluded RMB80,000/t for 2t of bismuth this week.
The smelter's price is RMB2,000-3,000/t higher than other smelters, said the source.
The smelter has 100-200t of stock. "We're in no hurry to sell product," said the source. "We want to push the price up gradually."
"If the bismuth price continues going up," an official from a bismuth oxide producer said. "We'll have to raise the bismuth oxide price."
According to the source, the producer purchased around RMB70,000-71,000/t in early June. However, current prevailing quotations stand in a range of RMB75,000-78,000/t.
The producer plans to raise its bismuth oxide price (electric grade) from RMB88,000-89,000/t to RMB94,000-95,000/t.
"Bismuth smelters will have difficulties pushing the price up," an official from a trading company said. "Because we haven't received as many inquiries as when the price began rising half a month ago."
The buyers bid in a range of USD3.55-3.65/lb FOB. Although Chinese smelters quote as high as RMB78,000/t [USD3.80/lb], few orders can be concluded at this price, said the source.
According to the source, the workable concluded price is USD3.60-3.70/lb.
