European antimony market quiet this week

As European buyers are scared of the high price of antimony, European market had been quiet this week.
AA European trader told Asian Metal that he received offers from China earlier this week at USD6,580/t CIF Rotterdam for 99.65%min standard grade two antimony ingot and USD6,700/t CIF for low bismuth material. Both offers are for end of September shipment.
He opines that there is little stock in Europe at the moment, and no shipment from China before end of September. According to him, there were some activities in the last two weeks but market calm down again this week. "People are reluctant to the high prices."
The trader holds that the high price would be temporary for the next two to three months, so the consumers would not change to substitute. "USD7,000/t is still acceptable for the current antimony market, but if it continues going up to USD8,000-10,000/t, then we will see people leave antimony for other products," the source remarked.
Another trader confirmed the price of 99.65%min low bismuth grade two antimony ingot in offered to him at USD6,700/t CIF Rotterdam, and about USD6,800/t in warehouse Rotterdam. "But consumers are not willing to buy at the current prices," said the source who also had not concluded any deal this week.
He believes antimony price will continue increasing in the next one month due to the tight supply from China and increasing demand in Europe after more consumers come back to offices. "Price may reach USD7,000/t very soon."
The source learned that Chinese government increased export duty for some material from middle of the week, and he told Asian Metal that there maybe less smuggled material in market now, which is another reason for the tight supply. "I heard people talking about higher profit to smuggle ferroalloys and coke because the export duties are as high as 20% and 40%, and antimony is only 5%."
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