The local Chinese steel pipe market has seen slight downticks in prices of both seamless and welded pipes in the past week.
As of July 16, 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 $500/mt, with 20# (GB/T8163-1999) grade 219 mm x 6 mm seamless pipe at $513/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 $384/mt and $388/mt respectively. All the above prices include 17 percent VAT.
The Chinese seamless pipe market has continued to see minor decreases during the past week. Overall trading activity has remained at low levels due to the summer offseason. The stability of billet prices has provided some support for market prices but traders have been reducing their prices slightly in order to attract sales. The market trend is expected to be mostly stable with some slight decreases in the coming week.
The Chinese domestic welded pipe market has seen smaller decreases compared to the previous week. Overall trading activity is still slack. A slight increase has been seen in upstream steel strip prices but it is difficult for welded pipe prices to increase given the poor demand situation. Some softness in welded pipe prices is also expected to be seen in the coming week.
| Product Name | Spec. | Category | City | Steel Plant/Origin | Price (RMB/mt) | Price ($/mt) | Weekly Change (RMB/mt) |
| Φ108 mm x 4.5 mm | 20# (GB/T8162-1999) | Shanghai | Wuxi | 2,900 | 467 | ↓50 | |
| Guangzhou | Shandong | 3,500 | 564 | ↓100 | |||
| Seamless pipe | Beijing | Angang | 2,900 | 467 | ↓100 | ||
| Average price | - | 3,100 | 499 | ↓83 | |||
| Φ219 mm x 6 mm | 20# (GB/T8163-1999) | Shanghai | Zhenda | 3,000 | 483 | ↓50 | |
| Guangzhou | Angang | 3,550 | 572 | ↓100 | |||
| Beijing | Shandong | 3,000 | 483 | ↓100 | |||
| Average price | - | 3,183 | 513 | ↓83 | |||
| Welded pipe | Φ48 mm x 3.25 mm | Q195-Q215 | Shanghai | Tangshan | 2,360 | 380 | ↓70 |
| Guangzhou | Guangzhou | 2,500 | 403 | ↓50 | |||
| Beijing | Jinghua | 2,290 | 369 | 0 | |||
| Average price | - | 2,383 | 384 | ↓40 | |||
| Ф114 mm x 3.75 mm | Q215-Q235 | Shanghai | Huaqi | 2,450 | 395 | ↓70 | |
| Guangzhou | Guangzhou | 2,500 | 403 | ↓50 | |||
| Beijing | Zengzhou | 2,270 | 366 | 0 | |||
| Average price | - | 2,407 | 388 | ↓40 |
17 percent VAT is included in all prices and all prices are ex-warehouse.
$1 = RMB 6.21