More Chinese mills adjust April prices

SteelOrbis Shanghai Shanghai No. 3 Steel Plant, southern steelmakers Guangdong based Shaoguan Steel and Guangxi based Liuzhou Steel adjusted their ex-factory prices on Monday, April 3. Shanghai No. 3 Steel Plant increased its common carbon plate price by RMB 200/mt ($25), thick plate (under 50 mm) price by RMB 300/mt ($37), over 50 mm thick plate price by RMB 500/mt ($62), and low alloy plate price by RMB 500/mt ($62). The new price of 8 mm thick Q235 plate is RMB 4,070/mt (507$), 10 mm plate is RMB 4,000/mt ($499), 12-20 mm plates is RMB 3,920/mt ($489). Shaoguan Steel increased its common carbon plate, high grade carbon plate and low alloy plate prices by RMB 60/mt ($7), its shipbuilding plate prices by RMB 50/mt ($6), and boiler plate prices RMB 150/mt ($19). The new ex-factory price of 14-20 mm Q235 plate in Guangzhou is RMB 3,520/mt ($439). Liuzhou Steel also lifted its price for common carbon plates and low alloy plates by RMB 60/mt ($7), and shipbuilding plates by RMB 50/mt ($6). The price of 14-28 mm common carbon plates reached RMB 3,780/mt ($471). All prices include taxes, and are effective from April 3, 2006. Influenced by the price hikes, the medium plate and shipbuilding plate markets have recorded obvious price increases.