Demand for Chinese steel pipes remains slack in the export market, while prices from Chinese exporters have moved on a weak trend. Over the past two weeks, export prices for Chinese seamless and welded pipes have declined by $10-20/mt. Most Chinese steel pipe exporters are not satisfied with their current sales performance, while overseas customers have no intention of purchasing in large quantities, believing prices will decline again in the near future. Market insiders do not believe that the export market for Chinese steel pipes will recover in the foreseeable future in view of weak demand and the poor market performance.
Current export quotations from most Chinese manufacturers for 2"-6" Sch40/Sch 80 seamless pipes of steel grade B according to ASTM A106/API 5L are on average at $410-445/mt FOB, while export offers for 16"-18" Sch 40/Sch 80 pipes are at $440-475/mt FOB.
Current export prices of 2"-6" welded pipes of grade B according to ASTM A53/API 5L from Chinese mills are at around $370-400/mt FOB.