In the Shanghai market, the price of 50 mm x 50 mm x 5 m steel angles is now at $584/mt. The same product is sold at $567/mt in the Tangshan market and at $611/mt in the Guangzhou market. Meanwhile, prices of 160 mm x 65 mm x 8.5 mm steel channels stand at $584/mt in the Shanghai market, at $571/mt in Tangshan and at $627/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 $603/mt, $597/mt and $619/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 indicated a slight downward trend during the past week. In Tangshan, the current price of Q235 150 x 150 mm square billet is at RMB 3,270/mt ($520/mt), the price of 165 x 225 mm rectangular billet stands at RMB 3,300/mt ($525mt), while the price of 20MnSi billet is around RMB 3,390/mt ($539/mt). The prices are all ex-mill, including 17 percent VAT.
Steel section inventory levels in China are slightly down, while since the National Day holiday in early October demand has been weakening. Steel mills have pushed up their quoted prices and this has contributed to increases in market prices of certain products. Steel section production volumes were up in October and so inventory levels are expected to increase soon. Amid low demand and anticipated increases in supply, China's steel section market may follow a downward trend in the coming period.