China’s antimony metal output during January-March increased on the year, with producers lifting production in response to higher spot prices in the first three months of the year, and renewed demand from seaborne consumers.

Production totalled 17,746t, up from 14,742t in the same period last year, according to China’s Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNMIA) data. Production in March rose to 7,324t, up from 3,280t in February, and up from 4,371t in March 2021.

Export prices for the metal were assessed stable at $13,700-13,900/t fob during 25 April-5 May, following a fall of $400/t on 21 April. Prices are likely to fall further this week on weaker demand both from domestic and seaborne consumers.

Key metal producers in Hunan’s Lengshuijiang city in late April closed their blasting furnaces on a lack of concentrate availability. This, coupled with the expectations of a recovery in economic growth after the current Covid-19 crisis in the country is brought under control, may slow the downward trend of the market.

Article Retrieved from: ArgusMetal