YDD started cold commissioning three furnaces at its new Karaganda ferro-silicon operation in Kazakhstan at the end of 2018.

The ferrosilicon market has been running smoothly, with little change in price before the holiday.

"Moreover, we intend to export 5,000-8,000 tonnes of ferro-silicon this year to North America."

China's benchmark power coal price dropped slightly during the past week.

"Moreover, we intend to export 5,000-8,000 tonnes of ferro-silicon this year to North America."

The average capacity utilisation was clocked at 38% for April 2020, the company said in a statement.

Automotive production in Brazil plunged in April due to massive shutdowns stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Import prices for flat-rolled steel into South America were steady to slightly higher during the past week.