Tantalum Market Update (April 18, 2013)

Data from Metal-Pages shows that Chinese imports were up over 41 percent year-on-year through February. Average prices were also up by 6 percent, to $26,435 per metric ton (MT). Malaysia was the largest supplier of the imports, providing 443 MT. Brazil followed with 191 MT and then Rwanda with 131 MT.

China’s tantalum market has been quiet and Metal-Pages notes that market participants are not expecting much price movement over the next few weeks. There is no shortage of metal in that market, according to reports.

In the EU, prices for tantalite basis 30-percent tantalum pentoxide appear stable at $127 to $130 per pound, a level seen throughout March. Tantalum min 99.8 percent is also now stable, with a price range of $540 to $560 per kilogram. But these price have crept up slightly since March, when prices were in the range of $535 to 550 per kilogram.