China Tungsten Prices Maintains Stability Amid Pre-Holiday Stalemate

Details: Category: Tungsten's News; Published on Monday, 20 January 2025 16:15

Analysis of latest tungsten market from Chinatungsten Online

China tungsten prices remained stable in the week ended on Friday, January 17, 2025, with market activity increasingly subdued and sentiment leaning towards cautious observation of both bullish and bearish factors.

From a fundamental perspective, the gradually depleting supply of tungsten ore is insufficient to meet the expanding demand for intermediate smelting products and downstream alloy products. Additionally, global geopolitical risks have heightened the demand for strategic tungsten reserves, supporting confidence in the tungsten market on the supply side. However, persistent pressures from the global political and economic environment continue to suppress effective downstream demand. Low-risk appetite at the smelting and alloy production stages, coupled with "inward competition" and homogenization issues within the industry, has led to a supply-demand stalemate, slowing the momentum for price increases in processed tungsten products.

As the Lunar New Year approaches, plans for factory and mine maintenance and holiday closures are gradually being implemented, starting with mining and production facilities. This has further cooled market activity. It is expected that the tight supply of tungsten ore leading up to the Lantern Festival will continue to drive raw material costs and support prices for downstream tungsten products. However, weak effective demand and external uncertainties remain, creating a complex market sentiment characterized by cautious trading and a wait-and-see approach. Overall transactions are expected to remain limited and need-based.

The price of 65% tungsten concentrate is at $20,422.5/ton, with holders reluctant to make concessions. Ammonium paratungstate (APT) is priced at $339.0/mtu, with market activity cooling amid a stalemate. Tungsten powder prices remain at $44.8/kg, while tungsten carbide powder prices hold at $44.1/kg, reflecting cautious consolidation amid supply chain dynamics. Ferro-tungsten (70%) is priced at 217,000 RMB/ton, with liquidity slowing further due to the holiday atmosphere.

Prices of tungsten products on January 20, 2024

China tungsten price image