Chinese domestic steel section prices have followed a slight downtrend during the past week.
As for billet, prices of the semi-finished steel product in the Chinese domestic market have indicated a slightly soft trend during the past week. In Tangshan, the current price of Q235 150 mm x 150 mm square billet is at RMB 2,910/mt ($419/mt), the price of 165 mm x 225 mm rectangular billet stands at RMB 2,930/mt ($421/mt), while the price of 20MnSi billet is at around RMB 3,010/mt ($433/mt). The prices are all ex-mill, including 13 percent VAT.
Mainstream ex-China H-beam section steel offer prices from the ports of Shanghai or Tianjin stand at $493-528/mt FOB as of today, Monday, February 9, up slightly compared to February 2.
Overall trading activity in the domestic steel section market has been at a very low level during the past seven days due to the approach of the Chinese New Year holiday, while prices have softened a little amid the slight downticks seen in billet prices. Some downstream buyers have already started their holidays, resulting in the very weak levels of demand. As for the week ahead, it is believed that steel section prices will follow a stable trend as the holiday period draws closer.
| Product name | Specification | City | Price (RMB/mt) | Weekly change (RMB/mt) | Price ($/mt) | Weekly change ($/mt) |
| Angle (Q235) | 50 mm x 50 mm x 5 mm | Shanghai | 3,300 | 0 | 475 | 1 |
| Beijing | 3,160 | -20 | 455 | -2 | ||
| Tangshan | 3,230 | -20 | 465 | -2 | ||
| Tianjin | 3,050 | -10 | 439 | -0 | ||
| Guangzhou | 3,470 | -20 | 499 | -2 | ||
| Average price | 3,242 | -14 | 466 | -1 | ||
| Channel (Q235) | 160 mm x 65 mm x 8.5 mm | Shanghai | 3,420 | 0 | 492 | 1 |
| Beijing | 3,140 | -10 | 452 | -0 | ||
| Tangshan | 3,220 | -10 | 463 | -0 | ||
| Tianjin | 3,050 | 0 | 439 | 1 | ||
| Guangzhou | 3,440 | -20 | 495 | -2 | ||
| Average price | 3,254 | -8 | 468 | 0 | ||
| I-beam (Q235) | 250 mm x 118 mm x 10 mm | Shanghai | 3,340 | 0 | 480 | 1 |
| Beijing | 3,210 | -20 | 462 | -2 | ||
| Tangshan | 3,320 | -10 | 478 | -0 | ||
| Tianjin | 3,140 | -10 | 452 | -0 | ||
| Guangzhou | 3,520 | -40 | 506 | -4 | ||
| Average price | 3,306 | -16 | 476 | -1 |
The prices are all ex-mill, including 13 percent VAT.
$1 = RMB 6.952
| Product Name | Category | Specification | Port | FOB Price(USD) | Rise & Fall (USD) |
| H beam | Q235B | 200*200*8*12 | Tianjin | 493 | 1 |
| Q235B | 600*200*11*17 | Tianjin | 518 | 1 | |
| SS400 | 200*200*8*12 | Tianjin | 498 | 1 | |
| SS400 | 600*200*11*17 | Tianjin | 523 | 1 | |
| S275JR | HEA200 | Tianjin | 508 | 1 | |
| A36 | W8*31 | Tianjin | 508 | 1 | |
| A36 | W12*65 | Tianjin | 523 | 1 | |
| A36 | W12*65 | Shanghai | 533 | 1 | |
| Q355B | 200*200*8*12 | Tianjin | 528 | 1 | |
| Q355B | 200*200*8*12 | Shanghai | 538 | 1 |