Steel pipe export over 10'000 tons at Zhangjiagang

Steel pipe export over 10’000 tons at Zhangjiagang

During January-April 2005 period, steel pipe export at Zhangjiagang port totaled 10'700 tons, up 133% year on year. The major exported pipes include bearing steel pipe, carbon steel pipe and common welded steel pipe, etc, and the major export destination include North America, West Europe and Southeast Asia, etc. Professionals pointed out that the booming export also brings hidden risk, which is mainly represented by China steel pipe processing enterprises' mounting dependence on foreign tube blank. Under the expanding steel pipe output situation, the surging tube blank price increased manufacturing cost for steel pipe, bringing much pressure to pipe manufacturers. Meanwhile, the small spec seamless steel pipe attracted numerous investment from private investor due to less investment and high investment return ratio, thus market competition has been fierce. The continuous price cut in China may cause anti-dumping by foreign countries. It is also known that Zhangjiagang port imported 29'858 tons of CR sheet/coil from South Korea and Taiwan between April 29 and May 13, 2005 with $59'531 in trade value, and 26'445 tons stainless steel products.