Tantalite prices to go up in the near future
2012-05-22 09:15:56 [Print]
BEIJING (Asian Metal) 22 May 12 – Sources report that although demand from the downstream industry keeps slow at the present time, consumers of tantalite in domestic market are still willing to replenish their stocks, so the tantalite prices will continue to go up in the near future. In addition, according to market participants the bidding prices in Ethiopia even reached as high as USD105-108/lb CIF China.
A consumer from South China with a monthly output of about 2-3t of metallurgical grade tantalum oxide shared with Asian Metal that although demand from the downstream industry keeps weak, tantalite supply still keeps tight, so the prices now are still firm at USD95-105/lb CIF China and domestic made tantalite prices are also firm at RMB16,000/mtu (USD2,544/mtu). According to the source, there was bid in Ethiopia few days ago and the deal was finally made at prices of USD108/lb.
The source also said there is no demand support for such high tantalite prices and Chinese tantalum powder and wire export market is still dim now. “While as long as Chinese tantalite consumers buy, the prices would be increasing,” added the source, predicting that in the short run, the tantalite prices would keep firm.
Another South-based consumer from South China whose metallurgical grade tantalum oxide output is 1-2t per month also shared with Asian Metal that demand from the downstream industry keep dim at the present time, but the tantalite consumers in domestic market are still willing to replenish their stocks with the tight supply in the tantalite market. According to the source, it is hard to get materials now as the supply of tantalite is so tight and even there are suppliers quote, the prices would be as high as USD100-105/lb CIF China.
“It is mainly due to that many Chinese tantalite consumers are inquiring in the market, which make suppliers think that the downstream demand is rebounding, so they hold their dealing prices firmly,” added the source.
A consumer from South China with a monthly output of about 2-3t of metallurgical grade tantalum oxide shared with Asian Metal that although demand from the downstream industry keeps weak, tantalite supply still keeps tight, so the prices now are still firm at USD95-105/lb CIF China and domestic made tantalite prices are also firm at RMB16,000/mtu (USD2,544/mtu). According to the source, there was bid in Ethiopia few days ago and the deal was finally made at prices of USD108/lb.
The source also said there is no demand support for such high tantalite prices and Chinese tantalum powder and wire export market is still dim now. “While as long as Chinese tantalite consumers buy, the prices would be increasing,” added the source, predicting that in the short run, the tantalite prices would keep firm.
Another South-based consumer from South China whose metallurgical grade tantalum oxide output is 1-2t per month also shared with Asian Metal that demand from the downstream industry keep dim at the present time, but the tantalite consumers in domestic market are still willing to replenish their stocks with the tight supply in the tantalite market. According to the source, it is hard to get materials now as the supply of tantalite is so tight and even there are suppliers quote, the prices would be as high as USD100-105/lb CIF China.
“It is mainly due to that many Chinese tantalite consumers are inquiring in the market, which make suppliers think that the downstream demand is rebounding, so they hold their dealing prices firmly,” added the source.
Tantalum Conc. Ta2O5 30%min in warehouse Rotterdam
Unit:USD/lb Ta2O5
China tantalum oxide producers' operating rate statistics by province by month
Unit: %
