In the Shanghai market, the price of 50 mm x 50 mm x 5 m steel angles is now at $529/mt. The same product is sold at $485/mt in the Tangshan market and at $539/mt in the Guangzhou market. Meanwhile, prices of 160 mm x 65 mm x 8.5 mm steel channels stand at $511/mt in the Shanghai market, at $487/mt in Tangshan and at $552/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 $544/mt, $494/mt and $544/mt. The prices are all ex-mill, including 17 percent VAT. Steel section prices in the Chinese domestic market can be viewed in the SteelOrbis price reports section.
As for billet, prices in the Chinese domestic market have remained unchanged compared to last week. In Tangshan, the current price of Q235 150 x 150 mm square billet is at RMB 2,700/mt ($437/mt), the price of 165 x 225 mm rectangular billet stands at RMB 2,730/mt ($442/mt), while the price of 20MnSi billet is at around RMB 2,850/mt ($461/mt). The prices are all ex-mill, including 17 percent VAT.
Prices in the Chinese domestic section market have fluctuated over the past week, while the average price level has decreased compared to last week. The hot weather has lead to low operation rate which has limited demand. Recently, Ma Steel has started to operate again and accordingly the supply volume in the market has increased slightly. Especially, certain types, which were on the tight side, are now fully supplied. According to market players, section steel prices in the Chinese market are expected to trend down in the coming days due to large amount of incoming products.
$1 = RMB 6.18