During the week ending October 22, 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, moving sideways on average compared to October 15, while export offers for API 5L seamless pipe given by Chinese suppliers are at $480-490/mt FOB, November shipment, remaining unchanged on average compared to October 15.
| Product name | Quality | Spec. | Price ($/mt) FOB | Weekly change ($/mt) |
| API 5L seamless pipe | Gr.B | 2’’-6’’ Std | 485 | - |
| Seamless pipe, casing (hot rolled forming) | J55 | 3’’-8’’ Std | 485 | - |
| Seamless pipe, tubing (cold drawn forming) | ST37 | < 3’’ Std | 655 | - |
| Welded pipes | Gr.B | 2’’-6’’ Std | 460 | - |
During the given week, steel pipe prices in the Chinese domestic market have moved sideways amid a wave of cold weather hitting China, resulting in quiet transaction activities. Some steel pipe producers may implement maintenance works in the near future, which will bolster prices to a certain degree. The demand for steel pipes has not reached normal levels for the traditional peak season, exerting a negative impact on prices. It is thought that steel pipe prices in the Chinese domestic market will fluctuate within a limited range in the coming week.
As of October 22, HRC futures at Shanghai Futures Exchange are standing at RMB 3,247/mt ($457/mt), increasing by RMB 35/mt ($4.9/mt) or 1.1 percent since October 15, while increasing by 0.81 percent compared to the previous trading day, October 21.
$1 = RMB 7.0954
