During the week ending April 8, 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 $515-530/mt FOB, moving sideways on average compared to April 1, while export offers for API 5L seamless pipe given by Chinese suppliers are at $520-530/mt FOB, June shipment, remaining stable on average compared to April 1.
| Product name | Quality | Spec. | Price ($/mt) FOB | Weekly change ($/mt) |
| API 5L seamless pipe | Gr.B | 2’’-6’’ Std | 525 | - |
| Seamless pipe, casing (hot rolled forming) | J55 | 3’’-8’’ Std | 525 | - |
| Seamless pipe, tubing (cold drawn forming) | ST37 | < 3’’ Std | 665 | - |
| Welded pipes | Gr.B | 2’’-6’’ Std | 522.5 | - |
During the given week, steel pipe prices in the Chinese domestic market have remained stable as downstream users have mostly been concluding purchases in line with their needs. Since there have been no notably positive macroeconomic policy announcements, most traders have chosen to reduce their stock levels. Following the Tomb-Sweeping Day holiday, demand has improved gradually, exerting a positive impact on the steel pipe market. The ceasefire in the war in the Middle East has bolstered market sentiments, resulting in a significant rebound in the financial markets in China, which may positively affect the steel pipe market. It is thought that steel pipe prices in the Chinese domestic market will likely indicate a firm trend with some fluctuations in the coming week.
As of April 8, HRC futures at Shanghai Futures Exchange are standing at RMB 3,282/mt ($476/mt), decreasing by RMB 5/mt ($0.7/mt) or 0.15 percent since April 1, while up 0.06 percent compared to the previous trading day, April 7.
$1 = RMB 6.868
