Quicklime Prices: During the Quarter Ending December 2023

North America:

During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Quicklime market in North America witnessed a slight uptick compared to the previous quarter. Several factors played into this trend. Firstly, imports faced shortages, resulting in limited supplies and fulfillment challenges for existing orders. This scarcity was compounded by logistical hurdles in global container trade, including droughts affecting rivers and port congestion.

Secondly, while demand from the steel production industry remained moderate, the construction sector experienced low demand due to elevated mortgage and interest rates. Lastly, fluctuating freight charges increased the cost of importing cargo into the USA, further affecting Quicklime pricing dynamics.

In the USA, Quicklime prices saw a marginal increase in November 2023 due to import shortages and moderate demand from the steel industry. Freight charge volatility added to import costs, constraining supplies. To maintain margins, market players gradually raised prices. By December, product costs decreased due to year-end dynamics and the availability of affordable overseas materials. The current quarter's price for Quicklime (CaO) CFR Texas in the USA stands at USD 200/MT.

Get Real Time Prices of Quicklime: https://www.chemanalyst.com/Pricing-data/quicklime-1505

APAC:

The APAC region witnessed improved Quicklime market conditions in the fourth quarter of 2023. Factors such as limited supply, moderate to high demand, and rising input costs influenced the market. Destocking and reduced production rates led to limited supplies, driving prices up. Resilient demand, particularly from the downstream steel manufacturing segment, further contributed to price increases.

China experienced significant price changes, with surging demand domestically and internationally as infrastructure and manufacturing sectors rebounded. This heightened demand, coupled with low stock availability, boosted prices in the Chinese market. No plant shutdowns were reported in any country during this period. The quarter's ending price for Quicklime (CaO) FOB Qingdao in China was USD 151/MT.

Europe:

The Quicklime market in Europe faced a declining trend in the fourth quarter of 2023, marked by price fluctuations due to various factors. Declining demand from the downstream steel industry resulted in sluggish sales volumes and inventory accumulation. High input costs, including electricity prices, pressured producers' margins, prompting cautious production approaches.

An overall economic slowdown, characterized by weak business confidence and decreased new orders, further impacted the market. In the Netherlands, Quicklime prices declined by 3% compared to the previous quarter due to low demand and limited supplies. Despite efforts to reduce operating rates and inventories, suppliers struggled to maintain profit margins amid import market competition. No plant shutdowns were recorded in the Netherlands during this quarter. The latest price for Quicklime FD Rotterdam in the Netherlands at the quarter's end was USD 164/MT.

MEA:

The Quicklime market in the UAE region experienced a decline in the fourth quarter of 2023. Oversupply in the regional market led to subdued demand and reduced export inquiries, particularly in the downstream steel industry, resulting in price declines. Low international offtakes and weak domestic demand further contributed to falling prices.

The UAE market was characterized by high supply levels and moderate demand, leading to limited offtakes and decreased purchasing sentiments. Despite challenging market conditions, the UAE economy showed resilience, driven by private sector consumption and fixed investment. Quicklime prices in the UAE are expected to fluctuate, influenced by input costs, domestic and regional demand, and inventory levels. The current quarter's price for Quicklime (CaO) FOB Jebel Ali in the UAE is USD 135/MT.

Get Real Time Prices of Quicklime: https://www.chemanalyst.com/Pricing-data/quicklime-1505

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