The local Chinese steel pipe market has moved on a downward trend during the past week.
As of September 22, in China's three main steel markets, i.e., Shanghai, Guangzhou and Beijing, the average price of 20# (GB/T8162-1999) grade 108 mm x 4.5 mm seamless pipe now stands at $492/mt (RMB 3,283/mt), with 20# (GB/T8163-1999) grade 219 mm x 6 mm seamless pipe at $507/mt (RMB 3,383/mt). Meanwhile, on the same date, Q195-215 grade 48 mm x 3.25 mm welded pipe and Q215-235 grade 114 mm x 3.75 mm welded pipe prices in the above markets are standing at $415/mt (RMB 2,770/mt) and $414/mt (RMB 2,763/mt) respectively. All the above prices include 17 percent VAT. ($1 = RMB 6.67)
The local Chinese seamless pipe market has indicated a downward trend in the past seven days, while overall trading activity has remained weak. With the demand side unlikely to indicate any improvement, traders have chosen to reduce prices in order to attract business. It is believed that domestic seamless pipe prices will continue their downward trend in the week ahead.
The Chinese domestic welded pipe market has seen a downward trend and slack trading activity in the past week. The low trading volume and declines in upstream steel strip prices have been the main reasons for the decreases observed in welded pipe prices. With the approach of the National Day Holiday (October 1-7), trading activity is not expected to improve and so no increases in domestic welded pipe prices are anticipated in the coming period.
| Product Name | Spec. | Category | City | Steel Plant/Origin | Price (RMB/mt) | Price ($/mt) | Weekly Change (RMB/mt) |
| Seamless pipe | Φ108 mm x 4.5 mm | 20# (GB/T8162-1999) | Shanghai | Wuxi | 3,250 | 487 | ↓50 |
| Guangzhou | Shandong | 3,450 | 517 | ↓50 | |||
| Beijing | Angang | 3,150 | 472 | ↓80 | |||
| Average price | - | 3,283 | 492 | ↓61 | |||
| Φ219 mm x 6 mm | 20# (GB/T8163-1999) | Shanghai | Zhenda | 3,300 | 495 | ↓50 | |
| Guangzhou | Angang | 3,600 | 540 | ↓50 | |||
| Beijing | Shandong | 3,250 | 487 | ↓80 | |||
| Average price | - | 3,383 | 507 | ↓61 | |||
| Welded pipe | Φ48 mm x 3.25 mm | Q195-Q215 | Shanghai | Tangshan | 2,910 | 436 | ↓120 |
| Guangzhou | Guangzhou | 2,750 | 412 | ↓200 | |||
| Beijing | Jinghua | 2,650 | 397 | ↓200 | |||
| Average price | - | 2,770 | 415 | ↓174 | |||
| Ф114 mm x 3.75 mm | Q215-Q235 | Shanghai | Huaqi | 2,860 | 429 | ↓130 | |
| Guangzhou | Guangzhou | 2,800 | 420 | ↓200 | |||
| Beijing | Zengzhou | 2,630 | 394 | ↓200 | |||
| Average price | - | 2,763 | 414 | ↓177 |
17 percent VAT is included in all prices and all prices are ex-warehouse.
$1 = RMB 6.67