Chinese APT export prices firm up

BEIJING (Asian Metal) 1 Mar 06 - Similar markup has appeared in APT exportation in China following the tungsten concentrate price increase. Producers raised the price to around USD285/mtu FOB this week, while it has been concluded for RMB198,000/t (USD278/mtu) ex works in the Chinese market.Asian Metal Copyright Producers raised the price to around USD285mtu FOB this week, while it has been concluded for RMB198,000t USD278mtu ex works in the Chinese market.Asian Metal Copyright

“By using expensive tungsten concentrate, the APT for sale in our smelter has become greatly raised, including in the domestic market and exportation,” said an official of a Chinese smelter, approved to export in 2006.

According to the source, the smelter raised the price to USD285/mtu CIF Rotterdam this week from the previous RMB268/mtu CIF Rotterdam. Meanwhile, the materials is changing hands at around RMB198,000/t (USD278/mtu) ex works with the payment in advance.Asian Metal Copyright However, as it encounters questions by purchasers and its target customers are really limited, its future market still remains unclear," according to the smelter.Asian Metal Copyright

Such a price is acceptable by the majority of the users, who tend to place orders with small quantities, said the source.

Another qualified Chinese smelter announced that its APT prices have risen to above USD280/mtu over the past week.

"The new price is expected to line up behind the domestic markup. However, as it encounters questions by purchasers and its target customers are really limited, its future market still remains unclear," according to the smelter.