The local Chinese steel pipe market has seen further increases in seamless pipe prices and decreases in welded pipe prices in the past week.
As of November 17, in China's three main steel markets, i.e., Shanghai, Guangzhou and Beijing, the average price of 20# (GB/T8162-1999) grade 108 mm x 4.5 mm seamless pipe now stands at $625/mt (RMB 4233/mt), with 20# (GB/T8163-1999) grade 219 mm x 6 mm seamless pipe at $623/mt (RMB 4217/mt). Meanwhile, on the same date, Q195-215 grade 48 mm x 3.25 mm welded pipe and Q215-235 grade 114 mm x 3.75 mm welded pipe prices in the above markets are standing at $477/mt (RMB 3227/mt) and $475/mt (RMB 3213/mt) respectively. All the above prices include 17 percent VAT. ($1 = RMB 6.77)
The Chinese domestic seamless pipe market has continued its upward trend in the past seven days, mainly on the back of higher raw material prices. However, trading activity is slack and recent corrections in steel futures prices may have some negative impact on the market in the coming period. Market inventory still consists of pipes bought at relatively high prices, which should provide support for market prices. As for the coming week, the domestic seamless pipe market may be characterized by a fluctuating trend.
The local Chinese welded pipe market has moved on a slight downtrend in the past week amid decreases in steel strip prices, while trading activity has been sluggish and is unlikely to improve in the current off-season. As for the week ahead, it is believed that support still exists for prices, which may soften slightly or move sideways, mainly depending on prices of upstream materials.
| Product Name | Spec. | Category | City | Steel Plant/Origin | Price (RMB/mt) | Price ($/mt) | Weekly Change (RMB/mt) |
| Seamless pipe | Φ108 mm x 4.5 mm | 20# (GB/T8162-1999) | Shanghai | Wuxi | 4,100 | 596 | ↑100 |
| Guangzhou | Shandong | 4,300 | 625 | ↑150 | |||
| Beijing | Angang | 4,300 | 625 | ↑150 | |||
| Average price | - | 4,233 | 615 | ↑133 | |||
| Φ219 mm x 6 mm | 20# (GB/T8163-1999) | Shanghai | Zhenda | 4,000 | 581 | ↑50 | |
| Guangzhou | Angang | 4,400 | 640 | ↑200 | |||
| Beijing | Shandong | 4,250 | 618 | ↑100 | |||
| Average price | - | 4,217 | 613 | ↑117 | |||
| Welded pipe | Φ48 mm x 3.25 mm | Q195-Q215 | Shanghai | Tangshan | 3,310 | 481 | ↓20 |
| Guangzhou | Guangzhou | 3,320 | 483 | ↓30 | |||
| Beijing | Jinghua | 3,050 | 443 | ↓70 | |||
| Average price | - | 3,227 | 469 | ↓40 | |||
| Ф114 mm x 3.75 mm | Q215-Q235 | Shanghai | Huaqi | 3,240 | 471 | 0 | |
| Guangzhou | Guangzhou | 3,370 | 490 | ↓30 | |||
| Beijing | Zengzhou | 3,030 | 440 | ↓70 | |||
| Averageprice | - | 3,213 | 467 | ↓34 |
17 percent VAT is included in all prices and all prices are ex-warehouse.
$1 = RMB 6.88