During the week ending November 2, section steel prices have been characterized by small fluctuations in the Chinese domestic market. In northern China, section steel prices have slightly increased triggered by the uptrend observed in the local billet market. Similarly, no big changes in section steel prices have taken place in other regions in China. Not many transactions have been concluded in the Chinese market in the period in question. As of November 2, average section steel sales prices in the main regions of China are as follows:
Product name |
Specification |
Category |
Average price (RMB/mt) |
Weekly change (RMB/mt) |
Price ($/mt) |
Weekly change ($/mt) |
Angle |
50 mm x 50 mm x 5 m |
Q235 |
4,320 |
-13 |
646 |
-2 |
Channel |
160 mm x 65 mm x 8.5 m |
Q235 |
4,363 |
+26 |
652 |
+4 |
I-beam |
250 mm x 118 mm x 10 m |
Q235 |
4,470 |
+34 |
668 |
+5 |
In the Shanghai market, the price of 50 mm x 50 mm x 5 m steel angles is now at RMB 4,330/mt ($647/mt). The same product is sold at RMB 4,240/mt ($634/mt) in the Tangshan market and at RMB 4,400/mt ($658/mt) in the Guangzhou market. Meanwhile, prices of 160 mm x 65 mm x 8.5 m steel channels stand at RMB 4,380/mt ($655/mt) in the Shanghai market, at RMB 4,260/mt ($637/mt) in Tangshan and at RMB 4,450/mt ($665/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 RMB 4,360/mt ($652/mt), RMB 4,500/mt ($673/mt) and RMB 4,550/mt ($680/mt). The prices are all ex-mill, including 17 percent VAT.
In the Tangshan market the price of common carbon billets of 150 mm x 150 mm size has risen by RMB 50/mt ($7/mt) to RMB 3,960/mt ($592/mt), while the price of low alloy billet has increased by the same margin to RMB 4,080/mt ($610/mt). Both prices include 17 percent VAT. In the other regions of China, billet prices have mostly maintained the same levels as in the previous week. It is thought that the ongoing implementation of power rationing measures by the Tangshan government will likely continue to have an effect on the future trend of billet prices.
Influenced by the mentioned increases in the Tangshan billet market, local sales prices of section steel products have trended up slightly. With billet prices rising, local section steel producers have adjusted their offers upward, though by small margins.
In eastern China, some section steel manufacturers have been influenced by the rising trend of both long and flat steel prices in the region. However, buyers have not been showing much interest.