During the week ending April 30, average Chinese steel pipe export offer prices have remained stable. At present, export offers for welded pipe given by Chinese suppliers are in the range of $450-470/mt FOB, remaining stable compared to April 23, while export offers for API 5L seamless pipe given by Chinese suppliers are at $490-500/mt FOB, June shipment, moving sideways compared to April 23.
| Product name | Quality | Spec. | Price ($/mt) FOB | Weekly change ($/mt) |
| API 5L seamless pipe | Gr.B | 2’’-6’’ Std | 495 | - |
| Seamless pipe, casing (hot rolled forming) | J55 | 3’’-8’’ Std | 495 | - |
| Seamless pipe, tubing (cold drawn forming) | ST37 | < 3’’ Std | 660 | - |
| Welded pipes | Gr.B | 2’’-6’’ Std | 460 | - |
During the given week, steel pipe prices in the Chinese domestic market have remained stable amid the prevailing cautious sentiments among market players. There has been some replenishment of steel pipe stocks ahead of the Labor Day holiday (May 1-5), providing support for prices. However, demand for steel pipes has not been as good as market players had expected, affecting market sentiments. It is expected that steel pipe prices in the Chinese domestic market will move sideways in the coming week.
As of April 30, HRC futures at the Shanghai Futures Exchange are standing at RMB 3,233/mt ($445/mt), decreasing by RMB 29/mt ($3.9/mt) or 0.9 percent since April 23, while down 0.44 percent compared to the previous trading day, April 29.
$1 = RMB 7.2014