Mainstream ex-China steel plate offer prices from mills have been heard at $580-590/mt FOB for March shipment as of today, Monday, January 22, remaining stable on average as compared to January 15. The reference deal prices have been heard at $575-580/mt FOB to South America, Africa and the Middle East, also moving sideways over the past week.
The circulation of steel plate supplies has been slow, causing prices to fluctuate trend within a limited range in the given period.
During the given week, steel plate prices in the Chinese domestic market have remained stable amid decreasing production as more producers have implemented maintenance works. Demand from downstream users has been slacker, while traders have been unwilling to build up stocks, exerting a negative impact on steel plate prices. Both demand for and supply of steel plate have remained weak. It is expected that steel plate prices in the Chinese domestic market will continue to fluctuate within a limited range in the coming week.
Average Q235 20 mm steel plate spot prices in China have gained RMB 7/mt ($1/mt) compared to January 15, standing at RMB 4,117/mt ($579/mt) ex-warehouse, according to SteelOrbis’ information.
As of January 22, HRC futures at the Shanghai Futures Exchange are standing at RMB 4,029/mt ($567/mt), increasing by RMB 12/mt ($1.7/mt) or 0.3 percent since January 15, while remaining stable compared to the previous trading day (January 19).
$1 = RMB 7.1105