During the week ending July 9, average Chinese steel pipe export offer prices have moved sideways. At present, export offers for welded pipe given by Chinese suppliers are in the range of $440-450/mt FOB, remaining stable on average compared to July 2, while export offers for API 5L seamless pipe given by Chinese suppliers are at $480-490/mt FOB, for September shipment, moving sideways on average compared to July 2.
| Product name | Quality | Spec. | Price ($/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 | 445 | - |
During the given week, steel pipe prices in the Chinese domestic market have moved sideways amid maintenance at producers and slack demand from downstream users. High temperatures and heavy rains in some regions have exerted a negative impact on the demand for steel pipes. Some steel pipe producers will continue to implement maintenance, which will reduce the supply to the market and bolster prices. It is expected that steel pipe prices in the Chinese domestic market will fluctuate within a limited range in the coming week.
As of July 9, HRC futures at Shanghai Futures Exchange are standing at RMB 3,190/mt ($446/mt), decreasing by RMB 1/mt ($0.14/mt) since July 2, while increasing by 0.09 percent compared to the previous trading day, July 8.
$1 = RMB 7.1541
