Average global slag prices continue declining in the second quarter of 2021

The median global slag prices in the second quarter of 2021 are estimated to have declined by over 7 percent quarter-on-quarter, following the trend in prices since the first quarter of the year, according to the 2Q2021 update of CW Research's Global Cement Trade Price Report.

Meanwhile, in the first quarter, global slag export volumes posted a double-digit increase when compared to the previous quarter.

ÔÇ£In the first quarter of 2021, global slag export volumes increased both on a quarterly basis and on a yearly basis. Meanwhile, average global FOB prices for slag in 1Q2021 declined almost 2 percent when compared to the previous quarter. In May, the latest estimates for median prices were almost USD 2 lower than in March, but on a yearly basis, prices increased over 5 percent,ÔÇØ stated Prashant Singh, Associate Director at CW Group.

Japan remains the largest global slag exporter

In terms of slag export volume, Asia-Pacific-Japan continued to be the largest exporter, with Japan as the leading exporting country in the region during the first quarter of 2021.

Western Europe and the Mediterranean Basin were the second and third-largest slag exporting regions, while India and Germany followed Japan as the second and third largest exporting countries.

India's slag export prices decline in the first quarter of 2021

India's slag exports registered a decline of almost 1 percent on a yearly basis in the first quarter of 2021, whilst FOB prices decreased 5 percent year-on-year.

Meanwhile, Germany's exports increased by almost 25 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2021, while FOB prices increased almost 9 percent on a yearly basis.

Average FOB prices to rise in the 3Q 2021 in Asia-Pacific-Japan region

The average FOB price for slag in the Asia-Pacific-Japan region is estimated to increase more than 1 percent in the third quarter of the year, compared to the previous quarter.

In Japan, slag export prices are projected increase almost 3 percent between June and September 2021, while China is also forecasted to see an increase more of than 3 percent.

The Global Cement Trade Price Report is CW Research's benchmark price assessment for monthly gray cement, white cement, clinker and granulated blast furnace slag prices and volumes. The 150+ page report, published on a quarterly basis, serves as the industry go-to source for monthly price data for over 70 individual markets worldwide, including multiple cornerstone data series: import, export, ex-works and market prices.

Find out more about the report here.