In China, silicon metal price stopped rising and continues to be flat at the moment. Albeit the supply to the market has not increased substantially, there is an anticipation of a price fall just before the shipment of cheap products thanks to an electricity rate for a full-water season, and the customers are taking a wait-and-see attitude. However, some of producers offer a high price.

On the other hand, silicon metal price in Japan has begun to get weakened little earlier than others. As to the contract for spot goods, the price is slightly higher although the cargoes to be shipped in the end of June are remaining a bit, the main cargoes are the ones to be shipped during mid-July to the end of July and the price is down by US$10 - US$30 per ton from the end of May.

• [Editor:Ginna]