During the week ending April 2, 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 $470-480/mt FOB, remaining unchanged compared to March 26, while export offers for API 5L seamless pipe given by Chinese suppliers are at $500-510/mt FOB, for June shipment, moving sideways compared to March 26.
Product name |
Quality |
Spec. |
Price ($/mt) FOB |
Weekly change ($/mt) |
API 5L seamless pipe |
Gr.B |
2’’-6’’ Std |
505 |
- |
Seamless pipe, casing (hot rolled forming) |
J55 |
3’’-8’’ Std |
505 |
- |
Seamless pipe, tubing (cold drawn forming) |
ST37 |
< 3’’ Std |
670 |
- |
Welded pipes |
Gr.B |
2’’-6’’ Std |
475 |
- |
During the given week, steel pipe prices in the Chinese domestic market have moved sideways amid decreasing inventory levels and slack demand from downstream users. The cost of steel pipe stocks on the traders’ side has gradually increased, providing support for prices. Demand for steel pipes in April is anticipated to improve, which will positively affect prices. It is thought that steel pipe prices in the Chinese domestic will likely edge up in the coming week.
As of April 2, HRC futures at the Shanghai Futures Exchange are standing at RMB 3,352/mt ($467.5/mt), decreasing by RMB 34/mt ($4.7/mt) or 1.0 percent since March 26, while up 0.24 percent compared to the previous trading day, April 1.
$1 = RMB 7.1793