China: Ferro chrome prices remain firm on stable ore costs, steady demand

• TISCO hikes Oct’25 tender price
• Export market caution may limit upside

CBC: High-carbon ferro chrome prices remained steady w-o-w at RMB 8,390-8,800/t ($1,175-1,234/t) exw, including taxes.

Medium-carbon ferro chrome prices inched down by RMB 300/t ($42/t) w-o-w to RMB 13,800 -14,000/t ($1,933-1,961/t) exw, including taxes.

The market remained stable over the week. High-carbon ferro chrome prices stayed steady, supported by demand from stainless steel mills and some restocking interest from southern mills. Medium-carbon ferro chrome remained firm on strong specialty steel demand, while low-carbon ferro chrome held a premium driven by its growing use in new energy battery materials.

Market recap

TISCO hikes Oct’25 tender price

Following Tsingshan’s price hike, China’s Taiyuan Iron and Steel Corporation (TISCO) raised its Oct’25 ferro chrome tender price by RMB 50/t ($7/t) m-o-m to RMB 8,295/t ($1,162/t) DAP, inclusive of taxes. reflecting stable input costs and firm end user demand.

Chrome ore prices for mainstream South African grades remained steady at ports, while supplies of high-grade Zimbabwean ore were limited. The recent softening in coke prices reduced cost pressure on high-carbon ferro chrome production.

Electricity expenses continued to play a crucial role, with Northwest China’s green electricity pilot program expected to support low-carbon ferro chrome producers. Additionally, changes in Indonesia’s ferro nickel export policy indirectly impacted the ferro chrome substitute market.

End-user market trends

Stainless steel procurement remained demand-driven, but market activity during October’s usual peak season was weaker than expected. Demand for low and medium-carbon ferro chrome from the automotive sector continued to grow steadily.

while low-carbon ferro chrome demand rose sharply in the new energy sector due to its expanding use in cathode materials for energy storage batteries. In export markets, infrastructure recovery in Southeast Asia led to higher ferro chrome inquiries, but actual trades were limited by exchange rate fluctuations.

Outlook

Ferro chrome prices will likely remain range-bound in the near term, supported by steady demand from the automotive and new energy sectors, although cautious buying in export markets may limit upward movement.