During the week ending April 9, average Chinese steel pipe export offer prices have seen a decreasing trend. At present, export offers for welded pipe given by Chinese suppliers are in the range of $450-470/mt FOB, decreasing by $15/mt compared to April 2, while export offers for API 5L seamless pipe given by Chinese suppliers are at $490-500/mt FOB, for June shipment, moving down by $10/mt compared to April 2.
| Product name | Quality | Spec. | Price ($/mt) FOB | Weekly change ($/mt) |
| API 5L seamless pipe | Gr.B | 2’’-6’’ Std | 495 | -10 |
| Seamless pipe, casing (hot rolled forming) | J55 | 3’’-8’’ Std | 495 | -10 |
| Seamless pipe, tubing (cold drawn forming) | ST37 | < 3’’ Std | 660 | -10 |
| Welded pipes | Gr.B | 2’’-6’’ Std | 460 | -15 |
During the given week, steel pipe prices in the Chinese domestic market have declined amid decreasing ferrous metal futures prices. Following the US implementation of reciprocal tariffs on China, the “stacked” tariffs on imports from China have risen to 104 percent, which has exerted a negative impact on market sentiments. Demand for steel pipe from downstream users has not been as good as market players had expected, weakening the support for prices. However, inventory of steel pipe has been at relatively low levels, which may bolster prices to a certain degree. It is expected that steel pipe prices in the Chinese domestic market will fluctuate within a limited range in the coming week.
As of April 9, HRC futures at the Shanghai Futures Exchange are standing at RMB 3,208/mt ($446/mt), decreasing by RMB 144/mt ($20/mt) or 4.3 percent since April 2, while down 1.11 percent compared to the previous trading day, April 8.
$1 = RMB 7.2066
