China's steel pipe export prices have almost remained unchanged over the past two weeks, as Chinese seamless and welded pipe producers seek to stabilize the market by refraining from lowering their offers further. However, no improvement in demand is foreseen for the coming weeks. The negative market conditions are based on the weakness of the global steel pipe market, which is unlikely to recover in the short run.
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 $415-460/mt FOB, while export offers for 20"-24" Sch 40/Sch 80 pipes are at $495-510/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.