Mainstream ex-China steel plate offer prices from mills have been heard at $680/mt FOB for April shipment as of today, Monday, January 30, moving up by $20/mt compared to January 16. Reference deal prices have been heard at $670/mt FOB to South America and Southeast Asia, going up by $20-30/mt compared to January 16.
Following the long Chinese New Year holiday, though traders and downstream users are back in the market, they have mostly held a wait-and-see stance. Steel plate prices in the Chinese domestic market have moved up, while transaction activities have been quiet. 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 risen by RMB 100/mt ($15/mt) compared to January 16, standing at RMB 4,340/mt ($642/mt) ex-warehouse, according to SteelOrbis’ information.
As of January 30, HRC futures at the Shanghai Futures Exchange are standing at RMB 4,225/mt ($625/mt), increasing by RMB 92/mt ($14/mt) or 2.2 percent since January 16.
$1 = RMB 6.7626
