Silicon metal inquiries decrease in South Korea

BEIJING (Asian Metal) 4 Dec 09 - Silicon metal price keeps rising in South Korea following the climbing price from China, but sources claimed that silicon metal inquiries have begun to decrease since late November.

A trader in South Korea told Asian Metal that 4-4-1 price rises further to USD2,180/t d.d.Asian Metal Copyright The trader has a regular volume of silicon metal of around 1,500tpm, most of which is delivered to regular consumers by long-termed contracts.Asian Metal Copyrightp. this week, up by around USD100/t compared with that ten days ago; however, the latest offer from China rose to USD2,220/t FOB CMP early this week.Asian Metal Copyrightd.Asian Metal Copyright "The growth (of silicon metal price) here lags behind that in China in 10-15 days," said the source.Asian Metal Copyright The trader has a regular volume of silicon metal of around 1,500tpm, most of which is delivered to regular consumers by long-termed contracts.Asian Metal Copyright "But consumers in South Korea have become accustomed to the continuous rise (in price) from China.Asian Metal Copyrightd.Asian Metal Copyright"

The source believes that the silicon metal price will keep rising from China next week and the price will also go up in South Korea then. "Silicon metal inquiries have begun to decrease since the mid-November, and nothing has changed this week except rising price," said the source, revealing that he has not received any inquiries for 3-3-0-3 since last week.Asian Metal Copyright "At present, the silicon metal price is at a high level, so we do not hold many inventories," said the source, revealing that he only has less than 500 tons of silicon metal in stock.Asian Metal Copyright

According to the source, he last month distributed around 1,000 tons of silicon metal, mainly involving 4-4-1 and 3-3-0-3, the same as that in October; but anticipated that the volume may fall off this month with fewer inquiries.

Another trader in South Korea confirmed that the silicon metal market becomes quiet in South Korea, compared with that in November. "Most consumers have finished the purchasing plan at the end of the year, so the market may see few activities in December," said the source.

The source confirmed that prices of 4-4-1 and 3-3-0-3 rise by around USD100/kg to USD2,200/t and USD2,300/t this week in the indigenous market, but few deals have been reported.

The trader has a regular volume of silicon metal of around 1,500tpm, most of which is delivered to regular consumers by long-termed contracts. "At present, the silicon metal price is at a high level, so we do not hold many inventories," said the source, revealing that he only has less than 500 tons of silicon metal in stock.