The local Chinese steel pipe market has moved on an upward trend during the past week.
As of December 1, 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 $640/mt (RMB 4333/mt), with 20# (GB/T8163-1999) grade 219 mm x 6 mm seamless pipe at $635/mt (RMB 4300/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 $505/mt (RMB 3417/mt) and $504/mt (RMB 3413/mt) respectively. All the above prices include 17 percent VAT. ($1 = RMB 6.77)
The local Chinese seamless pipe market has followed a rising trend in the past seven days against the backdrop of strong increases in domestic billet prices. Overall trading activity has remained at low levels, while supply is also on the low side. Producers have raised their seamless steel prices and traders have followed their example. It is believed that the market may fluctuate on an upward trend in the week ahead.
In the past week, the Chinese domestic welded pipe market first moved down and then started to move back up. Upstream steel strip prices have been impacted by the significant fluctuations in futures prices, causing welded pipe traders to hesitate to purchase. In addition, colder weather conditions have contributed to the slackness of trading activity in the market. It is thought that further room still exists for the upward movement of domestic welded pipe prices in the coming week.
| Product Name | Spec. | Category | City | Steel Plant/Origin | Price (RMB/mt) | Price ($/mt) | Weekly Change (RMB/mt) |
| Seamless pipe | Φ108 mm x 4.5 mm | 20# (GB/T8162-1999) | Shanghai | Wuxi | 4,150 | 602 | ↑100 |
| Guangzhou | Shandong | 4,550 | 660 | ↑250 | |||
| Beijing | Angang | 4,300 | 624 | ↑100 | |||
| Average price | - | 4,333 | 629 | ↑150 | |||
| Φ219 mm x 6 mm | 20# (GB/T8163-1999) | Shanghai | Zhenda | 4,050 | 588 | ↑100 | |
| Guangzhou | Angang | 4,600 | 668 | ↑200 | |||
| Beijing | Shandong | 4,250 | 617 | ↑100 | |||
| Average price | - | 4,300 | 624 | ↑133 | |||
| Welded pipe | Φ48 mm x 3.25 mm | Q195-Q215 | Shanghai | Tangshan | 3,460 | 502 | ↑190 |
| Guangzhou | Guangzhou | 3,550 | 515 | ↑220 | |||
| Beijing | Jinghua | 3,240 | 470 | ↑170 | |||
| Average price | - | 3,417 | 496 | ↑194 | |||
| Ф114 mm x 3.75 mm | Q215-Q235 | Shanghai | Huaqi | 3,420 | 496 | ↑190 | |
| Guangzhou | Guangzhou | 3,600 | 522 | ↑220 | |||
| Beijing | Zengzhou | 3,220 | 467 | ↑170 | |||
| Averageprice | - | 3,414 | 496 | ↑194 |
17 percent VAT is included in all prices and all prices are ex-warehouse.
$1 = RMB 6.89