Mainstream ex-China steel plate offer prices from mills have been heard at $490-500/mt FOB for February shipment as of today, Monday, December 30, moving sideways on average as compared to December 23. The reference deal prices have been heard at $490-495/mt FOB to South America, Africa and the Middle East, remaining stable on average compared to December 23.
During the given week, steel plate prices in the Chinese domestic market have edged down. Environmental protection measures have resulted in declining outputs of steel plate, bolstering prices to a certain degree. However, demand from downstream users has been slack, weakening the support for steel plate prices. At the same time, buyers have been cautious as regards concluding purchases of steel plate. It is thought that steel plate prices in the Chinese domestic market will edge down in the coming week.
Average Q235 20 mm steel plate spot prices in China have moved down by RMB 17/mt ($2.4/mt) compared to December 23, standing at RMB 3,573/mt ($497/mt) ex-warehouse, according to SteelOrbis’ information.
As of December 30, HRC futures at Shanghai Futures Exchange are standing at RMB 3,433/mt ($477.5/mt), increasing by RMB 15/mt ($2.1/mt) or 0.4 percent since December 23, while up 0.56 percent compared to the previous trading day, December 27.
$1 = RMB 7.1889