The Chinese domestic steel section market has followed a stable trend in most parts of the country during the past week, though with some slight upticks also seen.
In the Shanghai market, the price of 50 mm x 50 mm x 5 m steel angles is now at $538/mt. The same product is sold at $488/mt in the Tangshan market and at $551/mt in the Guangzhou market. Meanwhile, prices of 160 mm x 65 mm x 8.5 mm steel channels stand at $514/mt in the Shanghai market, at $489/mt in Tangshan and at $563/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 $550/mt, $499/mt and $571/mt. The prices are all ex-mill, including 17 percent VAT. Steel section prices in the Chinese domestic market can be viewed in the SteelOrbis price reports section.
As for billet, prices in the Chinese domestic market have moved sideways during the past week. In Tangshan, the current price of Q235 150 x 150 mm square billet is at RMB 2,730/mt ($440/mt), the price of 165 x 225 mm rectangular billet stands at RMB 2,760/mt ($445/mt), while the price of 20MnSi billet is at around RMB 2,880/mt ($465/mt). The prices are all ex-mill, including 17 percent VAT.
While the Chinese steel section market has mainly moved on a stable trend during the past week, some slight rebounds in prices have been seen in some areas, The overall trading volume is still low. The stable trend for billet prices and the low market inventory caused by mills' maintenance works have provided support for the slight increases in steel section prices. However, supply volumes will increase as mills complete their maintenance. Accordingly, Chinese domestic steel section market prices may be characterized by some softness in the coming week.