Niobium concentrate import prices soften
2012-07-17 09:23:22 [Print]
BEIJING (Asian Metal) 17 Jul 12 – As the metallurgical grade niobium oxide supply exceeds demand in Chinese market, sources reported that the niobium concentrate prices soften these days with the quotations from suppliers going down from USD22-23/lb CIF China to USD21-21.5/lb CIF China. Besides, the import market is dim with domestic processors not willing to replenish stocks for the time being.
One South-China based consumer whose output of metallurgical grade niobium oxide is about 2-3tpm shared with Asian Metal that the prices for niobium concentrate now decrease from USD22/lb CIF China to USD20-21/lb CIF China. “Quotations from suppliers before were USD23/lb, while now they only quote USD21-21.5/lb to me,” said the source, explaining that the major reason for the prices decrease is the flat demand of niobium oxide for both metallurgical grade and optical grade.
Commenting on the future market, the source said that as ferroniobium takes a great market share of niobium concentrate, besides, the ferroniobium in domestic market is also weak, so Chinese niobium concentrate prices will not see rebound in a short term.
Another South-based trader also shared with Asian Metal that he has not concluded even one deal of niobium concentrate from early June. “Now the demand of niobium concentrate from the downstream industry is sluggish, so the prices also went down from USD21-22/lb CIF China to USD2011/lb CIF China,” said the source, whose total dealt with about 40-50t in the first half year of 2012.
“Domestic processors told him that they do not need to purchase niobium concentrate now, not only due to the weak downstream demand, but also due to the ample supply of ferroniobium in the market,” said the source, who also has intention to ask others to process niobium oxide for him.
One South-China based consumer whose output of metallurgical grade niobium oxide is about 2-3tpm shared with Asian Metal that the prices for niobium concentrate now decrease from USD22/lb CIF China to USD20-21/lb CIF China. “Quotations from suppliers before were USD23/lb, while now they only quote USD21-21.5/lb to me,” said the source, explaining that the major reason for the prices decrease is the flat demand of niobium oxide for both metallurgical grade and optical grade.
Commenting on the future market, the source said that as ferroniobium takes a great market share of niobium concentrate, besides, the ferroniobium in domestic market is also weak, so Chinese niobium concentrate prices will not see rebound in a short term.
Another South-based trader also shared with Asian Metal that he has not concluded even one deal of niobium concentrate from early June. “Now the demand of niobium concentrate from the downstream industry is sluggish, so the prices also went down from USD21-22/lb CIF China to USD2011/lb CIF China,” said the source, whose total dealt with about 40-50t in the first half year of 2012.
“Domestic processors told him that they do not need to purchase niobium concentrate now, not only due to the weak downstream demand, but also due to the ample supply of ferroniobium in the market,” said the source, who also has intention to ask others to process niobium oxide for him.
Niobium Conc. Nb2O5 50%min, Ta2O5 5%min, CIF China
Unit:USD/lb Oxides
China niobium oxide producers' sales to production ratio statistics by province by month
Unit: %
