This article takes a look at the situation with regard to soda ash prices in Asia. Soda ash prices in Asia are expected to continue rising in the near term, driven by soaring raw material costs, and with demand likely to pick up in the summer months amid decreasing supply. Recent negotiations for spot supply of soda ash have seen bid/offer levels increase by as much as 20% since mid-April because of higher offers in China resulting from escalating input costs of petroleum coke, salt and energy. Spot prices were around $300/tonne (240 Euros) CRF (cost and freight) Asia on May 25, led by the Chinese market, while prices of dense 99% purity bulk soda ash parcels had increased to $280-310/tonne FOB (free on board) China, as assessed by Chemease, an ICIS service in China. In the domestic Chinese market, dense soda ash prices have risen by around yuan (CNY) 200-300/tonne ($30-46/tonne) to CNY 2,050-2,150/tonne DEL (delivered) over the same period, market sources say.
