Mainstream ex-China steel plate offer prices from mills have been heard at $930-940/mt FOB for September shipment as of today, Monday, August 9, moving up by $5/mt on average compared to August 2. Some mills are seeking to reach $950/mt FOB soon, but the reference deal prices have been heard at $925-935/mt FOB to South America and Southeast Asia over the past week, up by $5/mt from a week earlier.
During the given week, China’s domestic steel plate prices have declined slightly amid declining HRC futures prices and the prevailing cautious sentiments among market players. Demand for steel plate has remained slack, while decreasing iron ore prices have also weakened support to steel plate prices. It is expected that steel plate prices may fluctuate within a limited range in the coming week.
Average Q235 20 mm steel plate spot prices in China have decreased by RMB 37/mt ($5.7/mt) week on week to RMB 5,656/mt ($872.3/mt) ex-warehouse, according to SteelOrbis’ information.
As of August 9, HRC futures at the Shanghai Futures Exchange are standing at RMB 5,746/mt ($886.2/mt), decreasing by RMB 34/mt ($5/mt) or 0.59 percent since August 2.
$1 = RMB 6.484