For the Quarter Ending March 2024
North America
The Natural Steatite market in the North America region experienced a mixed pricing environment in the first quarter of 2024. In the USA, which saw the maximum price changes, the market sentiment was mainly bearish. Supply of Natural Steatite remained high due to surplus inventory levels in domestic warehouses, driven by reduced trade activities and trade disruptions in the Red Sea caused by attacks from the Houthi Rebel group in Yemen. This led to increased freight costs and prompted mills to scale back their trading operations. Demand for the product was low, particularly in downstream industries such as Housing and Casting, which were affected by severe winter conditions. Harsh weather, winter holidays, and consumer concerns about rebel attacks further dampened order placements.
In January, Natural Steatite prices in the USA spot market rose due to decreased supply and strong downstream industry demand. Trade route disruptions and reduced manufacturing activity further limited availability. The US Metal market showed resilience in February 2024, defying economic uncertainties and high inflation. While automotive sales saw modest growth, construction spending declined, driven by factors such as winter dullness and low domestic and international demand. Additionally, inflationary pressures rose from 2.27% in January to 2.28% in February 2024, as reported by FRED.
Overall, the pricing environment for Natural Steatite in the North America region during the first quarter of 2024 can be characterized as bullish, with prices experiencing a slight incline due to stable demand and supply dynamics.
Asia-Pacific
In the first quarter of 2024, the pricing environment for Natural Steatite in the APAC region has been largely stable, with some fluctuations observed in specific countries. Overall, the market has faced challenges due to reduced demand and increased inventory levels. These factors have led to a bearish sentiment in the market. In Japan, Natural Steatite prices have witnessed a decline throughout the quarter. This can be attributed to a decrease in demand from downstream industries, particularly in the housing and casting sectors. Severe winter conditions have further dampened demand, resulting in minimal deals and a pessimistic market sentiment. The oversupply in domestic warehouses has also contributed to the downward price trend. The price changes in Japan are consistent with the overall trends observed in the APAC region. The market has been impacted by reduced trade activities and disruptions in the supply chain, including attacks in the Red Sea and the drought in the Panama Canal. These factors have led to increased freight costs and a decrease in export activity, further affecting prices. Looking at the quarter as a whole, Natural Steatite prices have remained relatively stable, with a slight decline compared to the previous quarter. Seasonality and reduced manufacturing activity during the winter months have contributed to the overall bearish sentiment in the market. In conclusion, the pricing environment for Natural Steatite in the APAC region, particularly in Japan, has been negative in the first quarter of 2024. Reduced demand, increased inventory levels, and trade disruptions have resulted in a decline in prices.
Europe
The European Natural Steatite market in Q1 2024 has experienced a mix of positive and negative trends. Overall, the market sentiment has been stable, with fluctuations in supply and demand driving price changes. Germany has seen the most significant price changes, with an increase in prices compared to the previous quarter. In January, Natural Steatite prices in Germany experienced a slight increase due to reduced supply and robust demand from downstream industries. Supply constraints arose from decreased manufacturing activity, exacerbated by disruptions in trade routes. Global environmental concerns also played a role in altering mining activity dynamics, impacting the supply chain landscape. Throughout February and into early April 2024, the German metal market showcased a mix of trends, influenced by economic factors both locally and globally. Trade disruptions caused by attacks from the Houthi Rebel group in the Red Sea have impacted export activities, leading to higher freight costs and scaled-back trading operations. Severe winter conditions in Germany have also contributed to a slowdown in demand from downstream industries such as housing and casting. Market shifts in March and early April were further impacted by factors such as declining steel prices in Europe, political changes, and fluctuating global scrap prices, creating market uncertainties. Despite these challenges, there is optimism in the market, with expectations of an increase in demand from sectors like cookware and housing. Price hikes are anticipated due to disruptions in the supply chain and a decrease in mining rates, indicating a lower supply of Natural Steatite.
For the Quarter Ending December 2023
North America
In Q4, the price of Natural Steatite experienced a stable market trend in the North American region amidst several macroeconomic factors. Initially, due to surging raw material prices, Taiwanese steel mills, including Chung Hung Steel Corporation and China Steel Corporation, raised prices in response to increased costs of iron ore and steel scrap. Despite stagnant demand from Europe and the US, market confidence persisted as substantial orders were placed. In October, price adjustments were initiated to counter rising production costs, expected to continue into the last quarter.
In November, Taiwan's spot market saw a notable increase in Steel Wire Rod prices due to supply constraints, heightened demand from automotive and construction sectors, and disruptions in the Panama Canal affecting iron ore imports. In December, Steel Wire Rod pricing followed a specific trajectory influenced by reduced demand during the winter and holiday seasons.
Disruptions in trade routes, particularly in the Panama Canal and the Red Sea, further challenged market sentiment. Adverse weather conditions and reduced demand from the construction sector caused a slowdown in manufacturing activity across Taiwan. The final price for Natural Steatite CFR Houston in the USA remained at 761 USD/MT.
APAC
During the fourth quarter, the APAC market for Natural Steatite witnessed a significant decline in pricing trend, affected by various macroeconomic factors. Initially, the price of Natural Steatite surged in the Japanese spot market due to sustained high demand from major industries and limited supply. Environmental concerns led to reduced mining operations in Chinese and Indian mines, impacting the global supply. Increased demand from cookware, housing, and casting industries globally, driven by industrialization and decreased inflation rates, contributed to heightened buying activity. Consequently, mills implemented price hikes for November. However, in the Japanese market, Natural Steatite spot prices have since decreased. This decline is attributed to reduced demand and increased inventory levels resulting from decreased trade activities. Surplus supply is the result of reduced consumption by both local and international industries. Trade disruptions caused by the Houthi Rebel attacks in Yemen and the Panama Canal drought affected export activities, leading to higher freight costs. Severe winter conditions in Japan further slowed demand in downstream industries, including housing and casting. Pessimistic market sentiment emerged as consumers expressed concerns about rebel attacks, leading to a decline in the paper and pulp, paint, and glass manufacturing industries in the Japanese market. The final price for Natural Steatite CFR Osaka in Japan remained at 534 USD/MT.
Europe
In the fourth quarter, the pricing trend of Natural Steatite in the APAC market experienced a stable market trend, influenced by several macroeconomic factors. At the start of Q4, In November, Natural Steatite prices rose in the US spot market due to increased demand from downstream industries and limited supply. Chinese and Indian mines faced reduced extraction rates due to environmental concerns, contributing to the supply constraints. The surge in demand was fueled by industrialization and a global decrease in inflation rates, leading to heightened buying activity in cookware, housing, and casting industries. Mills implemented price hikes as a result. However, in the US market, Natural Steatite spot prices later declined due to decreased demand, increased inventory levels from reduced trade activities, and surplus supply. Trade disruptions caused by the Houthi Rebel attacks in Yemen and drought in the Panama Canal impacted export activities, resulting in higher freight costs and scaled-back trading operations. Severe winter conditions in the US affected downstream industries, leading to a slowdown in demand. Consumer concerns about rebel attacks further dampened order placements, causing a subtle decline in the downstream paper, pulp, paint, and glass manufacturing industries in the US market. Overall, a pessimistic market sentiment prevailed. The final price for Natural Steatite CFR Houston in the USA remained at 761 USD/MT.
