Seamless pipe prices in China have continued to slide down because of declining raw material quotations, soft demand impacted by the sluggish economy at home and abroad and oversupply of products. Over the past two weeks, domestic prices of Chinese seamless pipes have decreased by a maximum of RMB 100/mt ($20/mt), while export quotations have declined by a maximum of $10/mt. Seamless pipe prices in China are expected to continue to follow a soft trend in the near term as market sentiment still remains downbeat.
Chinese domestic prices of 2"-6" seamless pipes according to GB/8162-8163 are varying at around RMB 4,600-4,700/mt ($725-740/mt) ex-works, including 17 percent VAT. Domestic prices of seamless pipes, 2"-8" grade B as per ASTM A106/API 5L, are at around RMB 5,500-5,600/mt ($870-885/mt) ex-works.
Current export offers of seamless pipes from most Chinese manufacturers for 2"-8" Sch 40 grade B material according to ASTM A106 are on average at $760-830/mt FOB, while bigger producers are offering the same pipes at about $830-890/mt FOB.