China Graphite Electrode Prices Fall 9.24% in January Amid Post-Holiday Slowdown

Chinese graphite electrode prices moved lower in January **** as post-holiday order flow softened after a tight December. Market participants reported that the sharp cost-driven rally seen late last year lost momentum when buyers delayed graphite electrode purchases after pre-holiday stockpiling ahead of the Chinese New Year. Meanwhile, robust demand fundamentals from electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking and healthy export volumes kept physical offtake from collapsing outright. Seasonal production curtailments and planned halts in December had previously tightened supply, but early-year demand lag and expectations of easing needle-coke pressure combined to tip the graphite electrode pricing balance toward a month-on-month decline in January, per ChemAnalyst data.

The steelmaking sector remained the primary driver of graphite electrode offtake, with EAF steelmaking and exports of steel bars, wire rod and angles/channels supporting steady consumption. According to ChemAnalyst data, the Graphite Electrode ***mm UHP Ex-Shanxi contract fell to $*,***.**/MT in...