Mainstream ex-China steel plate offer prices from mills have been heard at $570-580/mt FOB for January shipment as of today, Monday, December 4, moving up by $7.5/mt on average as compared to November 27. However, reference deal prices have been heard at $565/mt FOB to South America and Southeast Asia, edging up by $5/mt compared to November 27.
During the given week, steel plate prices in the Chinese domestic market have indicated slight declines amid the slackening demand from downstream users. However, the steel plate producers’ capacity utilization rates have declined slightly, bolstering prices to a certain degree. Cautious sentiments have started to prevail among market players, exerting a negative impact on steel plate prices. Currently, prices of raw materials are still at high levels, providing support for steel prices. It is thought that steel plate prices in the Chinese domestic market will likely fluctuate within a limited range in the coming week.
Average Q235 20 mm steel plate spot prices in China have lost RMB 16/mt ($2.3/mt) compared to November 27, standing at RMB 4,037/mt ($569/mt) ex-warehouse, according to SteelOrbis’ information.
As of December 4, HRC futures at the Shanghai Futures Exchange are standing at RMB 3,984/mt ($561/mt), decreasing by RMB 71/mt ($10/mt) or 1.75 percent since November 27, while down 1.04 percent compared to the previous trading day.
$1 = RMB 7.1011
