EU ferro chrome market trading activity improves slightly

In the field of chrome alloys, purchasing activity has recovered slightly amid higher prices for a variety of products and concerns over limited supply due to logistical difficulties with Asian supplies. However, transactions are still few and far between.

According to the analysis of Hainan West Asia Group, the quotation price of low carbon ferro chrome (minimum 65% Cr; 0.1% C) has risen to usd2.45-2.9/lb Cr DDP (the lower limit of the quotation range a week ago increased by usd0.1/lb Cr). Quotes for Russian alloys remain at the lower end of the range, while alloys originating in Kazakhstan are quoted at the upper end. Turkish suppliers once again raised their quotations to usd2.67/lb Cr DDP (up usd0.04/lb Cr), but the transaction price was usd2.52-2.6/lb Cr DDP. Ferro chrome from Germany is considered the reference product and can be purchased at usd 3/lb Cr DDP (up usd0.05/lb Cr).

ferro chrome (60% Cr; 0.1% C) is quoted at usd2.3-2.43/lb Cr DDP (the lower limit of last week's quotation range increased by usd0.05/lb Cr). The only reason for this increase is the lack of cheaper material supply this week, while demand remains subdued.

At the same time, since last week, some consumers have begun to enter the market with immediate delivery demand for high-carbon ferro chrome (65-70% Cr; 6-8% C), replenishing stocks against the backdrop of difficult transportation from Asia. .This week,high-carbon ferro chrome prices increased by an average of US$0.06/lb Cr to US$1.75-1.92/lb Cr DDP. According to Hainan West Asia Group’s understanding, sales are mainly conducted at prices close to the lower limit of the quotation range.

In the high carbon ferro chrome sector (60% Cr; 6-8% C; max 3% Si), traders were able to sell alloys from India and Iran at $1.28-1.3/lb Cr DDP, with prices up 0.01% week-on-week. USD/lb Cr.