Data from the US Geological Survey (USGS) show that 1996 demand and production levels for soda ash were lower than producers had estimated. Preliminary USGS estimates reveal that US production totalle…
Data from the US Geological Survey (USGS) show that 1996 demand and production levels for soda ash were lower than producers had estimated. Preliminary USGS estimates reveal that US production totalled 9.92 million tons last year. Observers have questioned this figure, and at least one producer is expected to submit revised data that will boost it by more than 200,000 tons, sources say. According to the revised data, 1996 production would be slightly above the 1995 level of 10.1 million tons but below previous producer estimates. Most producers had announced US$ 5/ton increases last autumn, only to see pricing drop US$ 2-3/ton, to an average of US$ 77-81/ton on 1997 contracts. Soda ash performance in 1996 was characterised by a continuing boom in US exports, coupled with poorer performance domestically. Figures show that soda ash producers exported a record 3.84 million tons, up about 8% from 1995. Domestic demand figures are not yet available, but consumption is expected to fall below last year“s 6.51 million tons.