In October, post National day holidays graphite electrodes prices in China surged by RMB 10,000/MT. However, since then the prices have remained unchanged.
The prevailing prices for 450mm UHP grade electrodes are assessed at RMB 63,000 – 70,000/MT (USD 9,100 – 10,110/MT), 600mm UHP electrode at RMB 100,000-130,000/MT (USD 14,450 – 18,780/MT) and 700mm UHP electrodes at RMB 120,000-160,000/MT (USD 17,335 – 23,110/MT).
With the start of early winter heating season in China from the month of October, the operating rates of steel mills are expected to fall which should ideally lead to plunge in country’s GE prices. However, as per market sources, some steel mills are still stocking up GE in anticipation that prices may increase thus, leading to unchanged prices.
China’s GE exports scenario
According to China’s IC Carbon data, country’s graphite electrodes (GE) exports in the month of Aug’18 are recorded at 55,800 tonnes, an increase of 62% against August 2017. In case of M-o-M (month on month) comparison, the same have surged by 10% against Jul’18.
In Aug’18, the country’s top ten GE exporter were Fangda Carbon, Kaifeng Carbon, Sim Group, Jilin Carbon, Nantong Yangzi, Fushun Jinli, Shanghai Hongte, Sim Donghai, Xuri Precision, Dandong Xinxing.
The total export volume of China’s graphite electrode in January-August 2018 was 88,497 tonnes, an increase of 40% against the corresponding period of the previous year. Out of the total GE exports, the total export volume of UHP grade GE during Jan-Aug’18 was 55,893 tonnes, a surge of 54% y-o-y basis.
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