China Graphite Electrode Prices Rise 5.4% in March on Tight Supply and Restocking Demand

Graphite electrode prices in China trended higher in March as tighter effective capacity and renewed domestic restocking kept sentiment firm. Early in the month, winter emission controls in Shanxi continued to limit furnace utilisation, and even after restrictions eased mid-month, producers focused on clearing backlogs instead of offering fresh spot volumes. Buying activity strengthened from mid- to late March as EAF steelmakers rebuilt inventories ahead of April melting schedules, with coastal mills accelerating procurement in the final week. Meanwhile, subdued overseas orders kept the export channel muted, leaving domestic demand and constrained availability to drive the upward trajectory in graphite electrode pricing.

Demand trends for graphite electrode in March were mixed across end-use sectors. The electric-arc-furnace steel industry remained the strongest driver, with ChemAnalyst noting accelerated bookings as mills prepared for April melting schedules. Export demand, however, was subdued, with Turkey and the United States reducing purchases...