The local Chinese steel pipe market has mostly moved on a stable trend in the past seven days, though with some slight upticks also seen.
As of March 31 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 $453/mt, with 20# (GB/T8163-1999) grade 219 mm x 6 mm seamless pipe at $469/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 $405/mt and $410/mt respectively. All the above prices include 17 percent VAT.
The local Chinese seamless pipe market has mostly moved sideways in the past week, though with some minor price increases seen in certain markets. Upstream billet prices have been stable, while overall trading activity for seamless pipes has not shown any improvement. The seamless pipe market is expected to be mainly stable in the week ahead.
The Chinese domestic welded pipe market has generally followed a stable trend in the past week. Most traders are maintaining a cautious stance and so overall trading activity has been slacker compared to the previous week. While steel strip prices have been providing support for welded pipe prices, weaker trading activity is expected to exert downward pressure on welded pipe prices. For the coming week, just slight fluctuations are anticipated in domestic welded pipe prices.
| Product Name | Spec. | Category | City | Steel Plant/Origin | Price (RMB/mt) | Price ($/mt) | Weekly Change (RMB/mt) |
| Seamless pipe | Φ108 mm x 4.5 mm | 20# (GB/T8162-1999) | Shanghai | Wuxi | 2,800 | 433 | ↑100 |
| Guangzhou | Shandong | 3,150 | 487 | 0 | |||
| Beijing | Angang | 2,700 | 417 | 0 | |||
| Average price | - | 2,884 | 446 | ↑34 | |||
| Φ219 mm x 6 mm | 20# (GB/T8163-1999) | Shanghai | Zhenda | 2,900 | 448 | ↑50 | |
| Guangzhou | Angang | 3,250 | 502 | 0 | |||
| Beijing | Shandong | 2,850 | 440 | 0 | |||
| Average price | - | 3,000 | 464 | ↑16 | |||
| Welded pipe | Φ48 mm x 3.25 mm | Q195-Q215 | Shanghai | Tangshan | 2,530 | 391 | 0 |
| Guangzhou | Guangzhou | 2,750 | 425 | 0 | |||
| Beijing | Jinghua | 2,500 | 386 | ↑30 | |||
| Average price | - | 2,594 | 401 | ↑10 | |||
| Ф114 mm x 3.75 mm | Q215-Q235 | Shanghai | Huaqi | 2,630 | 406 | 0 | |
| Guangzhou | Guangzhou | 2,750 | 425 | 0 | |||
| Beijing | Zengzhou | 2,500 | 386 | ↑30 | |||
| Average price | - | 2,627 | 406 | ↑10 |
17 percent VAT is included in all prices and all prices are ex-warehouse.
$1 = RMB 6.52