During the week ending January 12, domestic prices of semi-finished steel in most China have indicated a slight uptrend, while transaction activity in the overall market has been slacker than in the previous week and is currently at low levels. Average prices of steel billet and slab in the local Chinese market are presented in the table below.
During the given week, the rebound in Chinese finished steel prices has contributed to the slight rises in domestic semi-finished steel prices. However, the rebound of finished steel prices is losing momentum, which will exert a negative impact on semi-finished steel prices. Rolling plants' inquiries and purchases have slackened, resulting in low activity in the semi-finished steel market. Approaching the Chinese New Year (February 8-14), rolling plants will likely halt their production lines, which will negatively impact semi-finished steel consumption in China. It is thought that semi-finished steel prices in the Chinese market will likely move sideways in the coming week.
Product Name | Spec. | Category | City | Price (RMB/mt) | Price ($/mt) | Weekly Change (RMB/mt) |
12 mm x 12 mm | Q195-Q235 | Tangshan | 1,640 | 250 | ↑40 | |
Jinzhong | 1,600 | 244 | ↑20 | |||
Fuzhou | 1,650 | 251 | ↑10 | |||
Jiangyin | 1,650 | 251 | 0 | |||
Average price | 1,635 | 249 | ↑18 | |||
12 mm x 12 mm | 20 MnSi | Tangshan | 1,750 | 266 | ↑50 | |
Jinzhong | 1,700 | 259 | ↑10 | |||
Fuzhou | 1,750 | 266 | ↑10 | |||
Jiangyin | 1,750 | 266 | 0 | |||
Average price | 1,738 | 264 | ↑18 | |||
250*1800*6000 | Q235 | Tangshan,Hebei | 1,650 | 251 | 0 |
The above prices include 17 percent VAT
$1 = RMB 6.57