In the Shanghai market, the price of 50 mm x 50 mm x 5 m steel angles is now at $672/mt. The same product is sold at $668/mt in the Tangshan market and at $704/mt in the Guangzhou market. Meanwhile, prices of 160 mm x 65 mm x 8.5 mm steel channels stand at $674/mt in the Shanghai market, at $669/mt in Tangshan and at $715/mt in the Guangzhou market. In the Shanghai, Tangshan and Guangzhou markets, 250 mm x 118 mm x 10 m I-beam prices stand respectively at $680/mt, $665/mt and $699/mt. The prices are all ex-mill, including 17 percent VAT. Average steel section prices in China can be viewed in the SteelOrbis price reports section.
As for billet, prices in the Chinese market have risen slightly during the past week as well. In Tangshan, the current price of Q235 150 x 150 mm square billet is at RMB 3,780/mt ($598/mt), the price of 165 x 225 mm rectangular billet stands at 3,810/mt ($602/mt), while the price of 20MnSi billet is around RMB 3,900/mt ($618/mt). The prices are all ex-mill, including 17 percent VAT.
With the influence of the cold weather, downstream demand is still slack and so the trading volume for steel sections in China has not been as good as expected. With the arrival of the traditionally strong March and April sales season and some overhauls by mills, slightly rises have been seen in steel section prices in the domestic market. Relatively low inventory levels at the current time have also provided some support for prices. Meanwhile, there are some concerns that the government could tighten its policy for the domestic real estate sector. In the coming period, it is thought the room for a rebound in China's steel section market will mostly depend on downstream demand.