[Ferro-alloys.com]The Chinese ferrosilicon export market has been sluggish in the last couple of weeks as foreign consumers are inactive due to the approaching holiday period around Chinese New Year. In addition, China's export duty has continued to impede business. There were industry talks before the holiday that China would remove the 25% export duty, but it failed. Foreign consumers, especially those in Asia, have turned to suppliers in other countries, such as Russia and Brazil, or to the black market for smuggled material. Presently, legitimate exports for 75% grade are being offered at $1,430-1,450 per f.o.b., but business is fairly thin.

 

In the first 11 months of 2013, China exported 296,248 mt of ferrosilicon, from 411,864 mt in the same period of 2012. Exports were mainly (the same 2012 period in parentheses): 157,976 mt (207,697 mt) to Japan; 51,749 mt (86,131 mt) to South Korea; 28,390 mt (21,647 mt) to the US; and 9,447 mt (11,361 mt) to Australia. In November, exports were 23,355 mt vs. 46,845 mt in the same 2012 period.

 

In November, the main export companies were: Erdos Xijin, (the previous month in parenthesis) with 8,146 mt (10,517 mt); Qinghai Baitong High Purity Materials, with 2,188 mt (1,826 mt); Qinghai Huadian Ferroalloys, with 2,033 mt (0 mt); and Xining Minmetals, with 1,665 mt (4,321 mt).