Intensified Supply-Demand Tug-of-War Leads to Sluggish Trading Activity (Oct 16–22, 2026)

1. Key Market Focus This Week

1. Fluorite market sentiment has cooled, with wait-and-see attitudes deepening.

2. The reference delivered price for the mainstream October contract of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (AHF) is 14,500–15,000 RMB/ton.

3. Insufficient demand follow-through for AHF has led to a contraction in capacity utilization rates, intensifying supply-demand dynamics.

2. Weekly Market Analysis

This week, domestic market competition between supply and demand for 97% fluorite concentrate intensified, resulting in sluggish trading activity. Market participants on both sides hold divergent views, largely influenced by external factors. On the supply side, mine operations are not running smoothly, beneficiation plants lack raw materials, and rising temperatures in northern regions have increased production costs. With expectations of a significant decline in future operating rates, suppliers remain cautious and in a wait-and-see mode. Meanwhile, downstream buyers exhibit strong price-suppression sentiments. Although inventory levels vary among northern downstream enterprises, there remains willingness to negotiate with some room for adjustment. In southern markets, pressure from sulfuric acid prices forces fluorite buyers to absorb downward price adjustments through profit margins. Current spot delivered prices across various domestic regions are as follows: Inner Mongolia: 3,300–3,400 RMB/ton; Zhejiang: 3,500–3,600 RMB/ton; Jiangxi and Fujian: 3,700–3,750 RMB/ton; Shandong: 3,550–3,650 RMB/ton; Northwest China: 3,400–3,450 RMB/ton; Henan and Anhui: 3,450–3,500 RMB/ton. As of press time, the mainstream delivered price for domestic wet fluorite powder is referenced at 3,300–3,750 RMB/ton.

3. Analysis of Factors Influencing Downstream Markets

Weekly Market Trends for Anhydrous Hydrogen Fluoride (AHF):

This week, the domestic AHF market was characterized by widespread wait-and-see attitudes, with regional divergence emerging. Earlier in the period, sporadic inquiries and transactions helped push market centers higher, but this failed to offset the decline in overall demand, leading to a cooling of sentiment compared to previous periods. From the raw material perspective, sulfuric acid markets continued to exert upward pressure, particularly in Jiangxi and Fujian provinces, where prices climbed steadily amid tight supply conditions. Consequently, some hydrogen fluoride plants reduced operating loads due to these cost pressures. Major producers in northern regions have yet to announce clear resumption schedules, keeping market observation levels high as industry players adopt a cautious stance. On the demand side, weakness persists. While earlier improvements in exports provided limited support, downstream sectors continue to face challenges due to insufficient order flow. As of press time, the mainstream delivered price for AHF in the East China market for October is referenced at 14,500–14,800 RMB/ton, while the Shandong market ranges from 14,760–15,000 RMB/ton.

4. Next Week's Market Forecast

In summary, market participants currently hold divergent views, with an overall bearish bias. Unentered downstream demand continues to exhibit price-suppression sentiments, and supply-demand negotiations remain ongoing. Chempricehub Information forecasts that the domestic fluorite market will experience range-bound fluctuations next week.