In the Shanghai market, the price of 50 mm x 50 mm x 5 m steel angles is now at $605/mt. The same product is sold at $576/mt in the Tangshan market and at $618/mt in the Guangzhou market. Meanwhile, prices of 160 mm x 65 mm x 8.5 mm steel channels stand at $605/mt in the Shanghai market, at $586/mt in Tangshan and at $634/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 $618/mt, $605/mt and $631/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 fluctuated on a downward trend during the past week. In Tangshan, the current price of Q235 150 x 150 mm square billet is at RMB 3,330/mt ($530/mt), the price of 165 x 225 mm rectangular billet stands at RMB 3,400/mt ($541mt), while the price of 20MnSi billet is around RMB 3,450/mt ($549/mt). The prices are all ex-mill, including 17 percent VAT.
Previously, on the back of the strong performance of billet, the domestic steel section market followed an overall upward trend. However, with the slackness of the demand side, prices of billet and steel sections have started to fluctuate. According to market information, previous supplies of cheap billet have almost been used up and now mills are using more expensive billet in their production, so that steel section prices still have significant support. It is believed that China's steel section market will be characterized by fluctuating movement in the coming week.