February 15, 2013
China sulphate additives markets stay firm
Cupric sulphate
Feed demand weakened as animal inventories dropped while releases were high iin the period leading to Chinese New year. Prices of cupric sulphate softened marginally in tandem amid slackened demand.
Post-festive demand for cupric sulphate is expected to be slow due to lacklustre feed demand.
Zinc sulphate
Supplies tightened while one producer halted operation lately, hence holding prices firm in conjunction with pre-Chinese New Year stockpiling.
Tight availability of zinc sulphate due to reduced production will lend support to the market. However, with feed demand slow after Chinese New Year, prices are unlikely to increase significantly.
Manganese sulphate
As the prices of raw ingredients stayed firm, several producers uphold the prices of manganese sulphate. However, as smaller producers were eager to clear inventories before Chinese New Year, prices lacked the momentum to make further gains.
Manganese sulphate prices will likely stay around current levels amid high production costs.
Ferrous sulphate
The costs of titanium dioxide softened during the period in review, helping to hold ferrous sulphate prices stable while buyers accumulated stocks prior to Chinese New Year.
Producers of ferrous sulphate will stand firm on prices in the coming period amid low inventory pressure and imminent reduction in output due to shrinking supplies of raw ingredients.
RMB1=US$0.1603 (Feb 15)
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