During the week ending November 27, 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 $490-500/mt FOB, remaining stable compared to November 20, while export offers for API 5L seamless pipe given by Chinese suppliers are at $500-520/mt FOB, for January shipment, moving sideways compared to November 20.
| Product name | Quality | Spec. | Price ($/mt) FOB | Weekly change ($/mt) |
| API 5L seamless pipe | Gr.B | 2’’-6’’ Std | 510 | - |
| Seamless pipe, casing (hot rolled forming) | J55 | 3’’-8’’ Std | 510 | - |
| Seamless pipe, tubing (cold drawn forming) | ST37 | < 3’’ Std | 670 | - |
| Welded pipes | Gr.B | 2’’-6’’ Std | 495 | - |
During the given period, steel pipe prices in the Chinese domestic market have moved sideways amid the fluctuating trend of HRC futures prices. Demand from downstream users has been sluggish amid the traditional offseason. At the same time, the increased competition in the market has exerted a negative impact on steel pipe prices. Market players are pinning their hopes on the restocking activity for the winter season, which has bolstered steel pipe prices to a certain degree. It is expected that steel pipe prices in the Chinese domestic market will likely fluctuate within a limited range in the coming week.
As of November 27, HRC futures at the Shanghai Futures Exchange are standing at RMB 3,473/mt ($483/mt), decreasing by RMB 16/mt ($2.2/mt) or 0.46 percent since November 20, while down 0.06 percent compared to the previous trading day, November 26.
$1 = RMB 7.1982
