August 5, 2005

China's cupric sulphate prices higher driven by high prices of copper

Prices of China's feed additives were mostly stable to lower in recent days. However, the price of cupric sulfate has remained high, supported by high future and spot prices of copper.

Transacted prices in China's market for cupric sulfate ranged between RMB9,000/tonne and RMB9,400/tonne in recent days, a rise of about RMB100/tonne from the previous week. Transacted prices for ferrous sulfate registered between RMB650/tonne and RMB850/tonne, a marginal fall compared with the previous week. Transacted prices for zinc sulphate registered between RMB3,900/tonne and RMB4,100/tonne. Meanwhile, transacted prices for manganese sulphate ranged between RMB3,600/tonne and RMB3,800/tonne, generally unchanged from the previous week.

Analysts expected prices of feed additives in China to be generally weak in the near term. However, prices of cupric sulphate might move within a narrow range.