【Graphite Electrode】Market Trends: Temporarily Stable

Market Overview

As of February 28, 2024, the market prices for ordinary, high-power, and ultra-high-power graphite electrodes have remained stable at 14,500-23,000 Yuan/ton compared to the previous working day. The average market price for graphite electrodes is 16,195 Yuan/ton, showing no change from the previous day. Demand from downstream enterprises remains weak, with purchases of graphite electrodes primarily driven by immediate needs and marked by cautious procurement, resulting in few transactions within the market. Some raw material prices in the upstream of graphite electrodes have slightly increased, but the overall change in cost is minimal, leading to a temporarily stable market trend for graphite electrodes. 

Current Price Range:

For graphite electrodes with diameters of 300-600mm, mainstream prices are as follows: regular power at 14,500-16,000 Yuan/ton, high power at 15,000-17,500 Yuan/ton, and ultra-high power at 15,500-19,500 Yuan/ton.

For ultra-high power graphite electrodes with a diameter of 700mm, the price range is 22,000-23,000 Yuan/ton.

Upstream Market:

Low-Sulfur Petroleum Coke: The market in the northeast region under PetroChina is trading at steady prices, with satisfactory shipments from refineries.

Low-Sulfur Calcined Coke: Mainstream transaction prices for low-sulfur calcined coke range from 3,800-4,200 Yuan/ton for materials from Jinxi and Jinzhou refineries, and 4,800-5,100 Yuan/ton for materials from Fushun refineries. Prices for low-sulfur calcined coke from Liaohe and Binzhou CNOOC refineries are between 3,600-3,800 Yuan/ton.

Needle Coke: The Chinese needle coke market remains stable with low to medium operation levels. As the end of the month approaches, negotiations for new orders are frequent, with prices still in contention. Overall fluctuations are minimal. Supported by raw material prices, there's little room for needle coke prices to drop, with manufacturers inclined to increase prices. However, actual transactions will depend on downstream acceptance.

Downstream Market:

Steel Industry: Downstream steel mills mainly purchase graphite electrodes on an as-needed basis, with few new orders in the market, indicating cautious procurement of graphite electrodes.

Market Forecast:

Graphite electrode enterprises are adopting a wait-and-see approach towards the downstream market, with demand at a low level and cautious procurement of graphite electrodes. Currently, there are few tenders in the market; graphite electrode prices continue to show a diverging trend, with actual transaction prices being negotiated on a case-by-case basis. The market is primarily focused on stability at the moment, with a short-term prediction that the graphite electrode market will continue to operate stably. Contact us to learn more of the graphite electrode market.