On April 21, Chinese steelmaker Hebei Iron and Steel Group announced increased prices for its flat steel products for the month of May. The details are as follows:
1. Medium plate prices have increased by RMB 300/mt ($44/mt). As a result, the producer's new ex-mill price for Q235 14-20 mm medium plate is RMB 4,900/mt ($718/mt).
2. HRC prices have risen by RMB 400/mt ($59/mt), with the Q235 5.5 mm HRC ex-mill price now standing at RMB 4,900/mt ($718/mt).
3. The prices of pickled products have gone up by RMB 300/mt ($44/mt). Thus, the current ex-mill price of SPHC 3.0 mm pickled products is RMB 5,150/mt ($755/mt).
4. CRC prices are up by RMB 200/mt ($29/mt), with the SPCC 1.0 mm CRC ex-mill price increasing to RMB 5,950/mt ($872/mt).
5. Full hard coil prices have increased by RMB 300/mt ($44/mt). As a result, the new SPCC 1.0 mm full hard coil ex-mill price is RMB 5,300/mt ($777/mt).
6. Cold galvanized coil prices have risen by RMB 300/mt($44/mt), with the new SGCC 1.0 mm cold galvanized coil ex-mill price at RMB 5,850/mt ($858/mt).
7. Hot dip galvanized coil prices have increased by RMB 200/mt ($29/mt). Thus, the current ex-mill price of SGH340 3.0 mm hot dip galvanized coil is RMB 5,500/mt ($806/mt).
8. Pre-painted steel prices have risen by RMB 300/mt ($44/mt), with the new ex-mill price of CGCC 0.5 mm pre-painted steel at RMB 6,550/mt ($960/mt).
All the above prices include 17 percent VAT and are effective as of May 1, 2010.
$1 = RMB 6.82