In the Shanghai market, the price of 50 mm x 50 mm x 5 m steel angles is now at $654/mt. The same product is sold at $629/mt in the Tangshan market and at $683/mt in the Guangzhou market. Meanwhile, prices of 160 mm x 65 mm x 8.5 mm steel channels stand at $654/mt in the Shanghai market, at $630/mt in Tangshan and at $679/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 $670/mt, $644/mt and $683/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 moved on a stable trend during the past week. In Tangshan, the current price of Q235 150 x 150 mm square billet is at RMB 3,590/mt ($568/mt), the price of 165 x 225 mm rectangular billet stands at RMB 3,620/mt ($573/mt), while the price of 20MnSi billet is around RMB 3,710/mt ($587/mt). The prices are all ex-mill, including 17 percent VAT.
While the domestic steel market in China has received a boost from government measures, the overseas markets are still characterized by uncertainty. Current demand for steel sections is slack, while inventory levels remain low and so there is no great pressure on market players to get rid of stocks. Observers believe that there is limited room for further decreases in the domestic steel section market given the support of billet prices.