On March 25, China's National Bureau of Statistics issued details of the ex-factory prices of major domestic enterprises. The statistics show that in mid-March (March 10-20) coal and petroleum product prices in China moved on a steady upward trend, steel product prices witnessed an overall increase, while nonferrous metal prices saw a slight decrease.
As for steel products, the data reveal that in mid-March the average prices of large and medium size common steel products (major finished steel products) increased by 2.3-9.6 percent month on month; the average price of small size wire rod decreased by 0.2-0.3 percent month on month; and that the average rebar price was in the range of RMB 3,409.9-3,618.2/mt ($500-530/mt), up 5-5.5 percent month on month; meanwhile, average iron ore quotations stood at RMB 555.2/mt ($81/mt), up 2.9 percent month on month.