The local Chinese steel pipe market has indicated a fluctuating trend in the past week, with increases and declines observed in prices.
As of April 28, in China's three main steel markets, i.e., Shanghai, Guangzhou and Beijing, the average price of 20# (GB/T8162-1999) grade 108 mm x 4.5 mm seamless pipe now stands at $526/mt, with 20# (GB/T8163-1999) grade 219 mm x 6 mm seamless pipe at $544/mt. Meanwhile, on the same date, Q195-215 grade 48 mm x 3.25 mm welded pipe and Q215-235 grade 114 mm x 3.75 mm welded pipe prices in the above markets are standing at $470/mt and $483/mt respectively. All the above prices include 17 percent VAT.
The Chinese domestic seamless pipe market has fluctuated on an upward trend in the past seven days. Billet prices have continued to rise and so seamless pipe producers have also increased their quotations. Overall trading activity is at normal levels. It is believed that domestic seamless pipe prices may just indicate slight fluctuations in the week ahead.
The local Chinese welded pipe market has followed a soft trend in the past week. The sharp price increases in the previous week have resulted in a low trade volume and so traders have reduced their quotations this week. Amid a lack of strong support from upstream steel strip prices, it is expected that domestic welded pipe prices will just indicate minor fluctuations in the coming week.
| Product Name | Spec. | Category | City | Steel Plant/Origin | Price (RMB/mt) | Price ($/mt) | Weekly Change (RMB/mt) |
| Seamless pipe | Φ108 mm x 4.5 mm | 20# (GB/T8162-1999) | Shanghai | Wuxi | 3,250 | 502 | ↑100 |
| Guangzhou | Shandong | 3,550 | 548 | ↑100 | |||
| Beijing | Angang | 3,300 | 509 | ↑200 | |||
| Average price | - | 3,367 | 520 | ↑133 | |||
| Φ219 mm x 6 mm | 20# (GB/T8163-1999) | Shanghai | Zhenda | 3,400 | 525 | ↑100 | |
| Guangzhou | Angang | 3,650 | 563 | ↑100 | |||
| Beijing | Shandong | 3,400 | 525 | ↑200 | |||
| Average price | - | 3,483 | 538 | ↑133 | |||
| Welded pipe | Φ48 mm x 3.25 mm | Q195-Q215 | Shanghai | Tangshan | 2,880 | 444 | ↓80 |
| Guangzhou | Guangzhou | 3,100 | 478 | ↓300 | |||
| Beijing | Jinghua | 3,040 | 469 | ↓80 | |||
| Average price | - | 3,007 | 464 | ↓153 | |||
| Ф114 mm x 3.75 mm | Q215-Q235 | Shanghai | Huaqi | 3,140 | 485 | ↓30 | |
| Guangzhou | Guangzhou | 3,100 | 478 | ↓300 | |||
| Beijing | Zengzhou | 3,040 | 469 | ↓80 | |||
| Average price | - | 3,093 | 477 | ↓137 |
17 percent VAT is included in all prices and all prices are ex-warehouse.
$1 = RMB 6.48