According to the latest customs data,China’s polysilicon import volume in August 2024 were 4,532 tons, a month-on-month increase of 55.13%. Among them, the import volume from Germany was 3829.3 tons, accounting for 84.50% of the total import volume. Compared with the data in July, it increased by 117.67% month-on-month, which was the largest importer of polysilicon in China that month. The import volume from Malaysia was 417.6 tons, accounting for 9.21% of the total import volume, a month-on-month decrease of 59.30%. Polysilicon imported from the above two countries accounted for 93.71% of the total imports. The rebound in polysilicon imports in August was mainly due to overseas manufacturers stocking up in China. Therefore, it is speculated that silicon imports will decline slightly in September.
The average import price of polysilicon in August was 23.92 US dollars/kg, down 1.81% from the previous month. The average import prices from the two major import source countries were 23.87 US dollars/kg (Germany)and 16.70 US dollars/kg (Malaysia), with prices falling 11.05% and 13.29% respectively. It is the first time for import prices to fall in recent months. It is forcasted that early high-price urgent orders have basically been fulfilled in August, and imported silicon prices will mainly remain flat in September.
Figure 1: Polysilicon import volume and price in August 2024 (Unit: tons, US dollars/kg)
According to the latest customs data, China’s polysilicon export volume in August 2024 was 4042.7 tons, a month-on-month decrease of 30.21%. Among them, the export volume to Vietnam was 1,596 tons, accounting for 39.48% of the total export volume. The export volume to Malaysia was 1,128 tons, accounting for 27.90% of the total export volume, and the polysilicon exported to the above two places accounted for 67.38% of the total volume. In August, China's exports showed a significant increase in exports to the EU, while exports to ASEAN countries weakened. The policy of photovoltaic installation subsidies in Europe is a potential reason for the improvement in demand in places such as the Netherlands. Export progress to Malaysia and other ASEAN countries has declined due to tight shipping capacity and port congestion. In addition, the uncertainty caused by the US election has also inhibited the growth of exports to ASEAN countries.
In August, the average prices of the two major exporting countries were 7.18 US dollars/kg for Vietnam and 9.73 US dollars/kg for Malaysia, with a month on month increase of 24.57% and 6.18%, respectively.
Figure 2: Polysilicon export volume and price in August 2024
Source: https://guangfu.bjx.com.cn/news/20240920/1401620.shtml