During the past week, the steel section market in China has fluctuated downward by about RMB 50-100/mt.
In the Shanghai market, the price of 50 mm x 50 mm x 5 m steel angles is now at $675/mt. The same product is sold at $635/mt in the Tangshan market and at $706/mt in the Guangzhou market. Meanwhile, prices of 160 mm x 65 mm x 8.5 mm steel channels stand at $676/mt in the Shanghai market, at $649/mt in Tangshan and at $719/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, $663/mt and $706/mt. The prices are all ex-mill, including 17 percent VAT. Average steel section prices in China can be viewed in the SteelOrbis price reports section.
As for billet, prices in the Chinese market have dropped slightly during the past week. In Tangshan, the current price of Q235 150 x 150 mm square billet is at RMB 3,670/mt ($582/mt), the price of 165 x 225 mm rectangular billet stands at 3,700/mt ($586/mt), while the price of 20MnSi billet is around RMB 3,790/mt ($601/mt). The prices are all ex-mill, including 17 percent VAT.
On the downstream side, demand for steel sections in China will improve when the weather becomes warmer. Meanwhile, some uncertainty still surrounds the government's monetary policy and this has resulted in a degree of uncertainty in the steel market. Market players expect minor fluctuations will be seen in China's steel section market in the coming week.