Chinese antimony trioxide exporters see more inquiries

BEIJING (Asian Metal) 11 Nov 08 – Some antimony trioxide exporters reported that they receive more inquiries from foreign buyers, though some concluded deals and some are not.
A licensed antimony trioxide exporter with a monthly export volume of at least 200 tons told Asian Metal that they receive more inquiries in the recent several days. They have concluded two deals of around 40-50 tons of antimony trioxide 99.5%min at around USD5,000/t CIF Rotterdam last Thursday, delivered right after the end of Christmas holiday.
The source revealed that the clients who have just place orders are worried about the antimony price to go up around the Chinese New Year's time and also about the potential price bounce caused by the clampdown of the illegal plants.
However, the source stated that not many buyers send inquiries to them and they also could not conclude every deal with foreign buyers sent inquiries. Demand remains weak and the export price is decreasing further too.
Another licensed exporter who mainly lives on long-term contracts and has an average export volume of around 300 tons confirmed that they received slightly more inquiries from European buyers, but they have not concluded even one deal. They quoted USD5,200-5,300/t CIF Rotterdam last week and believe that it is possible to conclude deals with buyers around USD200-300/t lower than that price.
The source believes that it will take some time for the economy and the antimony market to return warm. However, as the consumers have not purchased much for around two months, they may finally come back to the market so that the antimony price may bounce slightly in the coming month.