In 2012, China imported over 70,000 tons of solar grade polysilicon

In 2012, China's total imports of solar-grade polysilicon reached 76,006 tons, according to the latest customs data. This represents a significant year-on-year increase of 29.84% from January to November. In November alone, China imported 5,772 tons of polysilicon, marking a slight rise of 0.59% compared to the previous month. The average import price for polysilicon in November dropped to a new low of $20.39 per kilogram, down 12.90% from October. Over the first 11 months of the year, the average import price fell to $25.76 per kg, which was 58.04% lower than the 2011 average. This decline reflects the ongoing pressure on global polysilicon prices due to oversupply and weak demand. South Korea, the United States, and Germany accounted for 85.97% of China’s polysilicon imports in November. South Korea held a 26.1% share, followed by the U.S. at 40.3%, and Germany at 19.5%. Import prices from South Korea and Germany declined slightly compared to October, reaching $19.41/kg and $25.88/kg respectively. Meanwhile, the U.S. import price rebounded slightly to $17.04/kg, still the lowest among the three countries. Industry analysts suggest that the sharp drop in import prices is partly due to China’s retrospective tax investigation, which forced German suppliers to clear large stockpiles. As the year-end approached, major producers were eager to meet sales targets, leading to aggressive bidding and record-low prices. In November, Germany’s polysilicon imports fell by more than 1,127 tons, with the average price dropping to $25.88/kg. Despite WACKER’s announced 20% production cut by the end of September, the decline in German exports continued. The combination of weak global demand and overcapacity has further pressured the market, resulting in reduced shipments. With the Ministry of Commerce launching a retrospective tax probe, it is expected that polysilicon prices will hit a bottom soon, though the rebound is likely to be limited. The outcome of trade negotiations between China and the EU could significantly impact silicon material and photovoltaic component prices, making the market more complex in the future. On the export side, China exported 410 tons of polysilicon in November, bringing the year-to-November total to 1,497 tons. This shows a modest but stable export trend amid the broader industry challenges.