Export prices for Chinese seamless and welded pipes have remained on a soft trend at the beginning of September in view of feeble demand in most sales markets. Buyers in Southeast Asia are not interested in Chinese products due to a slowdown in the economy, while customers in the Middle East are not seeking new deals as they have plenty of material left after a long period of low sales. Market operators agree that it will be hard for steel pipe export prices from China to move up in the short term considering the unclear prospects for the market.
Current export quotations from most Chinese manufacturers for 2"-6" Sch40 seamless pipes of steel grade B according to ASTM A106/API 5L are on average at $430-460/mt FOB, while 14"-18" Sch 40/Sch 80 pipes are at $460-480/mt FOB.
Current export prices of 2"-6" welded pipes of grade B according to ASTM A53/API 5L from Chinese mills are at around $375-420/mt FOB.