January graphite electrode prices in China edged lower as post-holiday order flow softened after a tight December. Market participants noted that the sharp cost-driven rally late last year lost momentum as buyers delayed graphite electrode purchases ahead of the New Year. Nevertheless, robust demand from EAF steelmaking and healthy export volumes kept offtake from collapsing. Seasonal production curtailments and planned December halts tightened supply, but early-year demand lag and easing needle-coke pressure contributed to the decline. The steelmaking sector remained the primary driver of graphite electrode offtake, with EAF activity and shipments of steel bars and wire rod supporting steady consumption. Upstream costs and production considerations pressured manufacturers to plan curtailments that tightened supply into year-end; however, forecasts of stabilising needle-coke prices reduced immediate cost pressure.
