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.