Mainstream ex-China steel plate offer prices from mills have been heard at $880/mt FOB for June shipment as of today, Monday, April 18, moving down by $5/mt compared to April 11 when offers were at $880-890/mt FOB. Reference deal prices have declined slightly to $860-870/mt FOB to South America and Southeast Asia, versus $870/mt FOB last week.
During the given week, common carbon medium plate prices in the local market in China have edged up, while low alloy medium plate and shipbuilding plate prices have remained stable amid shrinking supplies. However, demand for steel plate has also slackened due to transportation disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the inventory of steel plate has started to rise. It is thought that steel plate prices in the Chinese domestic market will likely move sideways in the coming week.
Average Q235 20 mm steel plate spot prices in China have moved up by RMB 40/mt ($6.3/mt) compared to April 11, standing at RMB 5,270/mt ($826.5/mt) ex-warehouse, according to SteelOrbis’ information.
As of April 18, HRC futures at the Shanghai Futures Exchange are standing at RMB 5,186/mt ($813.4/mt), rising by RMB 148/mt ($23.2/mt) or 2.94 percent since April 11.
$1 = RMB 6.3763
