The local Chinese steel pipe market has indicated a decreasing trend during the past week.
As of March 30, 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 $658/mt (RMB 4,533/mt), with 20# (GB/T8163-1999) grade 219 mm x 6 mm seamless pipe at $663/mt (RMB 4,567/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 $541/mt (RMB 3,730/mt) and $541/mt (RMB 3,726/mt) respectively. All the above prices include 17 percent VAT.
The Chinese domestic seamless pipe market has followed a soft trend during the past seven days amid weak trading activity and lower prices of billet, raw materials and ferrous metal futures. Trading activity is unlikely to improve given the rainy weather conditions across many parts of the country. It is believed domestic seamless pipe prices may soften slightly in the week ahead.
The local Chinese welded pipe market has decreased during the past week due to the influence of slack trading activity and reduced steel strip prices. Bad weather conditions have negatively impacted demand. Traders hold a negative view of the prospects for the future market trend and do not want to build up their stocks. It is thought that domestic welded pipe prices will continue to follow a soft trend in the coming week.
| Product Name | Spec. | Category | City | Steel Plant/Origin | Price (RMB/mt) | Price ($/mt) | Weekly Change (RMB/mt) |
| Seamless pipe | Φ108 mm x 4.5 mm | 20# (GB/T8162-1999) | Shanghai | Wuxi | 4,350 | 631 | ↓150 |
| Guangzhou | Shandong | 4,800 | 697 | ↓50 | |||
| Beijing | Angang | 4,450 | 646 | ↓50 | |||
| Average price | - | 4,533 | 658 | ↓84 | |||
| Φ219 mm x 6 mm | 20# (GB/T8163-1999) | Shanghai | Zhenda | 4,400 | 639 | ↓100 | |
| Guangzhou | Angang | 4,850 | 704 | ↓50 | |||
| Beijing | Shandong | 4,450 | 646 | ↓50 | |||
| Average price | - | 4,567 | 663 | ↓66 | |||
| Welded pipe | Φ48 mm x 3.25 mm | Q195-Q215 | Shanghai | Tangshan | 3,690 | 536 | ↓100 |
| Guangzhou | Guangzhou | 3,880 | 563 | ↓70 | |||
| Beijing | Jinghua | 3,620 | 525 | ↓100 | |||
| Average price | - | 3,730 | 541 | ↓90 | |||
| Ф114 mm x 3.75 mm | Q215-Q235 | Shanghai | Huaqi | 3,750 | 544 | ↓100 | |
| Guangzhou | Guangzhou | 3,880 | 563 | ↓70 | |||
| Beijing | Zengzhou | 3,550 | 515 | ↓100 | |||
| Average price | - | 3,726 | 541 | ↓89 |
17 percent VAT is included in all prices and all prices are ex-warehouse.
$1 = RMB 6.89