Chinese ferro-silicon prices continued to soften over the past week amid operational restarts in the country's Ningxia province, while the European market reached new highs on tightened supply.
Chinese domestic prices edge lower amid production restarts Chinese exporters drop offers amid lack of buying interest European market realizes new highs on thin supplyUS spot market falls dormant, prices on holdChinese market softens amid smelter restartsChinese ferro-silicon prices have continued to soften since the start of this year due to weakened market sentiment following operational restarts at ferro-alloy refineries in Ningxia province.Ferro-silicon refineries in Zhongwei City, Ningxia province, were allowed to resume 50% of their capacity following an order issued by provincial authorities on December 31, with production from the resumed operations expected to hit the market in the coming weeks, market participants told Metal Bulletin.On December 1, officials in Ningxia province ordered the shutdown of ferro-alloy refineries in the region for the purpose of environmental control during the winter season. In response to the shutdowns, domestic ferro-silicon prices had soared to 10,000-12,000 yuan ($1,539-1,847) per...