Resumen de Chinese New Year leaves markets in flux
The anticipated upturn in graphite and fluorspar prices has been delayed due to the inactivity of Chinese industry in the lead up to February's Spring Festival New Years' celebrations.
Furthermore, the competitiveness of Chinese fluorspar has been stifled by higher domestic prices which have offset the removal of the 15% export duty that was forecast to stimulate demand. International fluorspar prices have subsequently remained stable at $470/tonne for acidspar, 97% CaF 2 (CFR Japan) and $360/tonne for metspar 85% CaF 2 (FOB China).
As a result graphite prices are expected to increase modestly throughout February with sources forecasting rises in the region of 5% which, according to IM Data, stand at $850/tonne for Flake, 94-97% C, -100 Mesh, FCL, FOB Qingdao, China and $790/tonne for Amorphous, 85% C, -100 Mesh, FOB, China.
