Mainstream ex-China steel plate offer prices from mills have been heard at $910-930/mt FOB for May shipment as of today, Monday, March 7, edging up by $62.5/mt compared to February 28. Reference prices for deals have been heard at $900/mt FOB to Southeast Asia and slightly above to South America.
During the given week, domestic Chinese steel plate prices have seen an overall rising trend amid increasing HRC futures prices and improved demand from downstream users. Meanwhile, iron ore prices and scrap prices have moved up, exerting a positive impact on the steel plate market. It is thought that steel plate prices in the Chinese domestic market will likely edge up in the coming week.
Average Q235 20 mm steel plate spot prices in China have moved up by RMB 124/mt ($19.5/mt) week on week to RMB 5,237/mt ($825/mt) ex-warehouse, according to SteelOrbis’ information.
As of March 7, HRC futures at the Shanghai Futures Exchange are standing at RMB 5,380/mt ($847.3/mt), rising by RMB 428/mt ($67.4/mt) or 8.64 percent since February 28.
$1 = RMB 6.3478
