China’s Export Controls Halt Antimony Shipments to EU, Driving Prices Up
China has halted antimony exports to the EU since October 2023 due to new export controls, causing a major price surge and stock shortages in Europe. The Netherlands was the largest importer until a considerable decline in shipments was noted. Overall, China’s antimony exports dropped by 24.1% in 2024, with continuing shipments to other nations.
Since October, China has refrained from exporting antimony to European Union nations, as indicated by customs data released on Thursday. This development stems from the enforcement of export controls by China, which has traditionally dominated this market segment, accounting for nearly half of global supply in 2023. These restrictions have significantly disrupted supply chains for antimony, a vital material used in semiconductors, flame retardants, solar power equipment, and military applications.
Analysts have observed critically low stock levels in Europe, exacerbating the surge in antimony prices; for instance, regulus grade II material has experienced an increase of over 300% compared to the previous year, as reported by Cristina Belda, a senior analyst at Argus. In August, the Chinese government announced plans for export limits citing national security concerns, which were implemented in September, initiating a wave of stockpiling that previously inflated shipments in August and September.
Since December, following an outright ban on exports of antimony to the United States along with two other critical minerals, there have been no antimony shipments to the U.S. Until this halt, the Netherlands had emerged as the primary EU importer of antimony from China, bringing in over 3,000 metric tons in 2023. However, data indicates a stark decline to 1,016.65 tons in 2024, with no shipments recorded since October.
Currently, this five-month cessation of antimony exports to Europe diverges from earlier instances of China’s critical mineral restrictions, which typically allowed exports to resume after a few months with newly required export licenses. In 2024, China’s overall antimony exports have dropped by 24.1% to 38,632 tons, although shipments to other nations, such as Brazil, Thailand, and Russia, have persisted despite the September restrictions.
In summary, China’s export controls on antimony have led to a complete halt in shipments to the European Union since October, significantly affecting supply chains and causing a dramatic increase in prices. The situation remains critical, particularly for European consumers, with substantial stock declines observed. While antimony exports to other countries continue, the implications of these restrictions pose significant challenges for global markets.
Original Source: www.tradingview.com
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