In the Shanghai market, the price of 50 mm x 50 mm x 5 m steel angles is now at $670/mt. The same product is sold at $663/mt in the Tangshan market and at $698/mt in the Guangzhou market. Meanwhile, prices of 160 mm x 65 mm x 8.5 mm steel channels stand at $673/mt in the Shanghai market, at $663/mt in Tangshan and at $714/mt in the Guangzhou market. In the Shanghai, Tangshan and Guangzhou markets, 250 mm x 118 mm x 10 m I-beam prices stand respectively at $683/mt, $660/mt and $698/mt. The prices are all ex-mill, including 17 percent VAT. Average steel section prices in the main Chinese markets can be viewed in the SteelOrbis price reports section.
As for billet, prices in the Chinese market have rebounded during the past week. In Tangshan, the current price of Q235 150 x 150 mm square billet is at RMB 3,730/mt ($592/mt), the price of 165 x 225 mm rectangular billet stands at RMB 3,760/mt ($596/mt), while the price of 20MnSi billet is around RMB 3,850/mt ($611/mt). The prices are all ex-mill, including 17 percent VAT.
With March and April traditionally being strong months for steel market demand in China, demand for steel sections in the country has already started to shake off its previous slackness. Meanwhile, steel mills have raised their quotations, while billet prices have touched bottom and started to move up. These factors have also given traders confidence regarding the prospects for the domestic steel section market. It is generally expected that China's steel section market will fluctuate on an upward trend in the coming week.