European bismuth oxide prices too high for the vast majority of consumers
2014-10-06 16:12:13 [Print]
LONDON (Asian Metal) 6 Oct 14 - The European bismuth oxide market maintained the parallel with the high metal prices that have been seen recently. A number of market sources, who spoke with Asian Metal at the end of last week, indicated that the prices are too high for a large amount of consumers and the likelihood of seeking alternatives is ever-increasing. Consumers have, apparently, grown increasingly annoyed at the way in which the prices have been inflated due to Chinese stockpiling, as opposed to genuine industrial demand. It is thought that the prices will remain at the levels being seen as the moment, as no imminent decrease in metal prices is expected while the stockpile on a certain Chinese exchange is maintained. Prices for bismuth oxide were, at the end of last week, being quoted between EUR21.20-22.00/kg in warehouse Rotterdam, an increase of up to EUR2.00/kg compared with prices seen in September.
A Southern European trader, who spoke with Asian Metal at the end of last week, suggested that prices have reached a level that jeopardises European consumption. Consumers are, he said, unable to serve the prices being demanded and will be inactive in the market until things change. He asserted that the search for alternatives is underway and, if found, consumers will not hesitate to depart from the bismuth oxide market. The trader was unable to sell any material this week, explaining that consumers are simply not interested in considering purchasing at these levels, but claimed bismuth oxide was being offered for EUR22.00/kg in warehouse Rotterdam. “It’s impossible to expect consumers to put up with these prices; they can’t operate in this environment!”, the trader added.
A Central European trader, also speaking with Asian Metal yesterday, shared much the same opinion. The price has, he said, been inflated by the way in which bismuth metal has been stockpiled to such great levels on certain Chinese exchanges and is by no means a reflection of genuine industrial demand. The trader agreed that consumers would be likely to seek alternatives if the high prices remained for much longer. The trader was inactive this week, also explaining that consumers are unable to serve the current prices, but would quote bismuth oxide for EUR22.00/kg in warehouse Rotterdam. The source added, “If prices don’t decrease, at least slightly, then I don’t see an uptick in market activity coming for some time”.
A Southern European trader, who spoke with Asian Metal at the end of last week, suggested that prices have reached a level that jeopardises European consumption. Consumers are, he said, unable to serve the prices being demanded and will be inactive in the market until things change. He asserted that the search for alternatives is underway and, if found, consumers will not hesitate to depart from the bismuth oxide market. The trader was unable to sell any material this week, explaining that consumers are simply not interested in considering purchasing at these levels, but claimed bismuth oxide was being offered for EUR22.00/kg in warehouse Rotterdam. “It’s impossible to expect consumers to put up with these prices; they can’t operate in this environment!”, the trader added.
A Central European trader, also speaking with Asian Metal yesterday, shared much the same opinion. The price has, he said, been inflated by the way in which bismuth metal has been stockpiled to such great levels on certain Chinese exchanges and is by no means a reflection of genuine industrial demand. The trader agreed that consumers would be likely to seek alternatives if the high prices remained for much longer. The trader was inactive this week, also explaining that consumers are unable to serve the current prices, but would quote bismuth oxide for EUR22.00/kg in warehouse Rotterdam. The source added, “If prices don’t decrease, at least slightly, then I don’t see an uptick in market activity coming for some time”.
Bismuth Oxide 99.9%min EXW China
Unit:RMB/mt
China bismuth ingot producers' sales to production ratio statistics by province by month
Unit: %
