According to the Commodity Market Analysis System of Business Society, the price trend of acetic acid in April was fluctuating, with an average price of 3283.33 yuan/ton at the beginning of the month and 3233.33 yuan/ton at the end of the month. The overall decline during the month was 1.52%, and the price decreased by 24.10% year-on-year.

As of the end of the month, the details of acetic acid market prices in various regions of China in April are as follows:

Region/ April 3rd/ April 17th/ April 28th

South China region/ 3175 yuan/ton/ 3125 yuan/ton/ 3125 yuan/ton

North China region/ 3225 yuan/ton/ 3050 yuan/ton/ 3025 yuan/ton

Shandong region/ 3125 yuan/ton/ 3075 yuan/ton/ 3025 yuan/ton

Jiangsu region/ 3025 yuan/ton/ 3000 yuan/ton/ 3000 yuan/ton

Zhejiang region/ 3125 yuan/ton/ 3100 yuan/ton/ 3100 yuan/ton

At the beginning of the month, the maintenance equipment of acetic acid enterprises resumed production, and the supply of acetic acid increased. Downstream demand was sluggish, and manufacturers promoted a reduction in shipping prices, causing the focus of market transactions to shift downwards; In the middle of the year, the price of raw material methanol increased, and cost support was positive. Downstream follow-up was active, and acetic acid manufacturers’ shipments were smooth, and the price trend continued to rise; At the end of the month, downstream purchasing enthusiasm weakened, market transactions were light, and the acetic acid market consolidation declined.

The raw material methanol market has fluctuated and fallen, with an average domestic market price of 2423.33 yuan/ton at the end of the month, which is 5.27% lower than the price of 2561.67 yuan/ton on April 1st. The price of raw coal is relatively low, and there is a lack of favorable support on the cost side. The methanol market is abundant in terms of supply, and downstream purchasing follow-up is insufficient. The demand side is bearish, and the methanol price market is weak.

The downstream acetic anhydride market was relatively weak in April, with a price of 5450.00 yuan/ton at the end of the month, a decrease of 0.23% compared to the price of 5462.50 yuan/ton at the beginning of the month. The price of raw material acetic acid has fluctuated and decreased, cost support has weakened, acetic anhydride manufacturers are operating at a low level, market supply is insufficient, and the business attitude is wait-and-see. Enterprise quotations are mainly stabilizing, and the acetic anhydride market fluctuates in a narrow range.

Analysts from the Business Society believe that some acetic acid companies are operating at low levels due to cost pressures, with no inventory pressure from manufacturers, poor enthusiasm for downstream procurement on the demand side, insufficient transactions on the market, weak rise in the acetic acid market, and supply and demand stalemate. It is expected that the acetic acid market will mainly consolidate in the future, and specific attention will be paid to downstream follow-up changes.

1、 Price trend

Taking the sulfuric acid rutile titanium dioxide with a large volume of goods in the domestic market as an example, according to the monitoring of bulk commodity data, the average price of domestic titanium dioxide was 17116.67 yuan/ton on April 1, 16950 yuan/ton on April 27, and the monthly price decline was 0.97%.

2、 Market analysis

In April, the price of domestic titanium dioxide market was lowered. In early April, the market of titanium dioxide was relatively light, with more inquiries for new orders and fewer actual transactions. As companies gradually deliver preliminary orders, the inventory of titanium backup companies is under pressure, and some high-end model prices have slightly decreased. Later, Longqi took the lead in raising the price, and other enterprises gradually followed up to boost the current market confidence, and the titanium dioxide market operated steadily. Up to now, most domestic rutile titanium dioxide quotations are between 16000-17500 yuan/ton; The quotation of anatase titanium dioxide is about 14500-15000 yuan/ton.

In terms of titanium concentrate, the price of titanium concentrate in the Panxi region increased first and then decreased this month. At present, the titanium concentrate market is affected by upstream titanium powder enterprises, and market transactions are light. Be cautious and wait, as prices on the market shift from rising to falling. As of now, the tax-free quotation for grade 38 42 titanium ore is around 1550-1600 yuan/ton, the tax-free quotation for grade 46 10 titanium concentrate is around 2250-2280 yuan/ton, and the quotation for grade 47 20 titanium concentrate is around 2350-2400 yuan/ton. In the short term, the price of titanium concentrate will temporarily stabilize and operate, and the actual transaction price will be negotiated separately.

In terms of sulfuric acid, according to the commodity analysis system of the business community, the price of domestic sulfuric acid market rose first and then fell in April. The market price of sulfuric acid was 240 yuan/ton on April 1, and the average price was 218.33 yuan/ton on April 27. The price decreased by 9.03% within the month. Looking at the future market: In mid to early May, the domestic sulfuric acid market may experience a slight fluctuation and decline, with consolidation being the main trend. Although the downstream hydrofluoric acid market has slightly increased, downstream procurement enthusiasm for sulfuric acid is good. However, the upstream sulfur price has significantly decreased, and cost support is severely insufficient. Business Society sulfuric acid analysts believe that in the short term, the sulfuric acid market may experience slight fluctuations and declines due to various factors such as supply and demand and raw materials, with consolidation being the main focus.

3、 Future Market Forecast

Analysts from titanium dioxide business agency believe that the price of titanium concentrate in Panzhihua Xichang region rose first and then fell this month, and the price of sulfuric acid market rose first and then fell in April. The cost support of titanium dioxide is acceptable. At present, the domestic titanium dioxide market turnover is light, and the export order performance is acceptable. It is expected that titanium dioxide will operate stably in the short term, and the actual transaction price will be discussed separately.

Aluminum fluoride prices fluctuated and fell in April

According to the Commodity Market Analysis System of the Business Society, as of April 26th, the domestic quotation for aluminum fluoride was 9525 yuan/ton, a decrease of 2.81% compared to the 9800 yuan/ton price on April 1st. Downstream demand has been weak due to rising costs, and aluminum fluoride prices have fluctuated and fallen in April.

Raw material prices stopped rising and stabilized in April

According to the Commodity Market Analysis System of the Business Society, as of April 26th, the price of fluorite was 3075 yuan/ton, an increase of 1.23% compared to April 1st, which was 3037.50 yuan/ton; As of April 26th, the price of hydrofluoric acid was 10357.14 yuan/ton, an increase of 5.69% compared to the 9800 yuan/ton price on April 1st. The construction of fluorite and hydrofluoric acid enterprises is temporarily stable, with sufficient supply. In April, the prices of raw materials fluorite and hydrofluoric acid stopped rising and stabilized, while the cost of aluminum fluoride stabilized. The support for the rise of aluminum fluoride still exists.

Yunnan faces power restrictions, resulting in a decrease in the production of electrolytic aluminum

The climate drought has led to a decrease in hydropower, and since mid February, Yunnan has been implementing “power rationing and production reduction”. Several electrolytic aluminum enterprises in Yunnan have limited production and reduced production. As of April, some electrolytic aluminum enterprises have reduced production by 40%. The expected decrease in electrolytic aluminum production and downstream demand for aluminum fluoride will increase the downward pressure on aluminum fluoride.

Market Overview and Forecast

Analysts from the fluoride aluminum industry at Business Society believe that in April, the prices of raw materials such as fluorite and hydrofluoric acid stopped rising and stabilized, while the cost of fluoride aluminum raw materials stopped rising and stabilized; Yunnan has limited electricity, resulting in a decrease in electrolytic aluminum production, weak downstream market for aluminum fluoride, and poor demand for aluminum fluoride. In the future, the demand for aluminum fluoride to stop rising costs is not good, and it is expected that the price of aluminum fluoride will stabilize strongly in the future.

According to the Commodity Analysis System of Business Society, as of April 22, the average price of domestic fuel oil 180CST was 5618.00 yuan/ton (including tax), a decrease of 0.35% from the price of 5638.00 yuan/ton on April 17.

On April 22, the fuel oil commodity index was 113.78, unchanged from yesterday, a decrease of 16.89% from the cycle’s highest point of 136.91 points (2022-11-17), and an increase of 146.92% from the lowest point of 46.08 points on August 15, 2016. (Note: The cycle refers to the period from September 1st, 2011 to the present)

The international crude oil market is fluctuating downward, and the cost support for ship fuel market is limited. According to Business News, as of April 22, the self extracting low sulfur quotation for fuel oil in Zhoushan area of China National Combustion Corporation was 5600 yuan/ton for 180cst, and 5700 yuan/ton for 120cst; The quotation for 180 cst self extracting low sulfur fuel oil in the Shanghai region of China National Combustion Corporation is 5500 yuan/ton, and the quotation for 120 cst self extracting low sulfur fuel oil is 5600 yuan/ton.

This week, the international crude oil market fluctuated and fell. Recently, the market was worried about the performance of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike. The strengthening of the US dollar suppressed oil prices. In addition, the increase in the US crude oil inventory depressed the market, and the crude oil market price trend fell back.

Singapore’s reduced fuel inventory has supported fuel oil prices. It is understood that the Singapore Enterprise Development Authority (ESG): As of the week ending April 19, Singapore’s fuel inventory decreased by 5000 barrels to a three week low of 23.519 million barrels; Singapore’s medium distillate oil inventory decreased by 752000 barrels to a seven week low of 8.062 million barrels; Singapore’s light distillate oil inventory decreased by 924000 barrels to a two-week low of 15.015 million barrels.

Future forecast: International crude oil prices are fluctuating downward, and the domestic ship fuel market has a strong wait-and-see sentiment; At present, the terminal demand in the shipping market is weak, with limited replenishment capacity and poor delivery; Downstream and intermediaries in the ship fuel market have a strong wait-and-see sentiment, with light market transactions and cautious entry. At present, the 180CST low sulfur market price of fuel oil is about 5500-5600 yuan/ton, and the 120CST low sulfur market price of fuel oil is about 5600-5700 yuan/ton. It is expected that the fuel oil 180CST market will be mainly consolidated in the near future.

1、 Price trend

According to the Commodity Analysis System of the Business Society, the domestic market for imported potassium chloride has slightly declined this week, with prices dropping from 3450.00 yuan/ton at the beginning of the week to 3400.00 yuan/ton at the end of the week, a decrease of 1.45%. On April 23, the potassium chloride (imported) commodity index was 107.94, an increase of 1.59 points from yesterday, a decrease of 38.18% from the highest point of 174.60 points in the cycle (2022-06-21), and an increase of 85.30% from the lowest point of 58.25 points on August 6, 2020. (Note: The cycle refers to the period from March 1st, 2012 to present)

2、 Market analysis

This week, the prices of mainstream domestic potassium chloride manufacturers have slightly decreased The arrival price of 60% white potassium in Qinghai is around 3100-3200 yuan/ton, and the self raised price of 62% white potassium in ports is around 3100-3200 yuan/ton. The self raised price of 60% Dahong granules at the port is around 3150-3300 yuan/ton. Border trade accounts for 62% of Russian white potassium at around 2800-2900 yuan/ton.

From the downstream market situation of potassium chloride, the factory price of potassium carbonate has slightly decreased this week, from 8840.00 yuan/ton at the beginning of the week to 8700.00 yuan/ton at the weekend, a decrease of 1.58%. The weekend price has decreased by 4.04% compared to the same period last year. The factory price of potassium nitrate slightly decreased this week, from 5575.00 yuan/ton at the beginning of the week to 5500.00 yuan/ton at the weekend, a decrease of 1.35%. The weekend price decreased by 21.99% compared to the same period last year. Overall, the downstream market for potassium chloride has slightly declined, and downstream customers’ demand for potassium chloride has weakened.

3、 Future Market Forecast

In late April, the overall trend of potassium chloride market may fluctuate and decline in a narrow range, with consolidation being the main trend. The prices of potassium chloride in salt lakes and Zangge have stabilized at low levels. The downstream market of potassium chloride has slightly declined, and downstream demand has weakened, with primary demand for procurement. International potassium fertilizer prices continue to decline. Potassium chloride analysts from Business Society believe that domestic potassium chloride import prices may slightly decline in the short term.