GLOBAL VANADIUM WRAP: Chinese export prices stable in thin trading; EU, US prices narrow
Date: Aug 29, 2018
Chinese vanadium export prices stabilized last week amid thin trading, while a lack of consumer interest in both the European and US markets led to narrower offer prices.
- Chinese export markets stalls
- Consumer demand absent in European FeV market
- US FeV spot market inactive with summer nearing an end.
Export prices for ferro-vanadium and vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) were unchanged over the week ended Tuesday August 28, but deals were very thin with weak demand from outside China.
Metal Bulletin’s latest price assessment for ferro-vanadium, min 78%, fob China, stabilized at $79-82 per kg on August 23, flat week-on-week.
“The market was quiet, with low buying interest from overseas, but tightness in raw materials will support the market,” a major ferro-vanadium exporter said.
“The implementation of a new rebar standard will start in November and restocking of ferro-vanadium in one or two months’ time is expected, so I am not pessimistic about prices for the next few months,” a second ferro-vanadium exporter said.
Metal Bulletin’s price assessment for vanadium pentoxide, fob China, stayed at $18.50-19.00 per lb on August 23, unchanged from the previous week.
“The V2O5 export market was also quiet, except for one deal for 40 tonnes heard at $18.50 [per lb],” a third exporter said.
