Mainstream ex-China steel plate offer prices from mills have been heard at $820-830/mt FOB for February shipment as of today, Monday, December 20, moving sideways compared to December 13. The reference deal prices are still at $810-820/mt FOB to South America and Southeast Asia, but trading activity has been poor.
During the given week, local steel plate prices have seen slight rises amid the fluctuating trend of HRC futures prices. Demand for steel plate has been slack, which has exerted a negative impact on prices. It is expected that steel plate prices in the Chinese domestic market will fluctuate within a limited range in the coming week.
Average Q235 20 mm steel plate spot prices in China have gained RMB 10/mt ($1.6/mt) week on week to RMB 5,103/mt ($799/mt) ex-warehouse, according to SteelOrbis’ information.
As of December 20, HRC futures at the Shanghai Futures Exchange are standing at RMB 4,626/mt ($724/mt), increasing by RMB 91/mt ($14.2/mt) or 2.0 percent since December 13.
$1 = RMB 6.3933
