Chinese domestic steel section prices fluctuate slightly, trade at normal levels

Chinese domestic steel section prices have indicated minor fluctuations during the past week.

As for billet, prices of the semi-finished steel product in the Chinese domestic market have softened a little during the past week. In Tangshan, the current price of Q235 150 mm x 150 mm square billet is at RMB 3,470/mt ($489/mt), the price of 165 mm x 225 mm rectangular billet stands at RMB 3,490/mt ($491/mt), while the price of 20MnSi billet is at around RMB 3,570/mt ($503/mt). The prices are all ex-mill, including 13 percent VAT.

Overall trading activity in the domestic steel section market has been at normal levels in the past week. Some prices have softened slightly due to the small declines seen in prices of billet and other raw materials, while other steel section prices have moved up by small margins due to some reductions seen in supply volumes and inventory levels. As for the week ahead, as the support from the cost side is weakening and demand may increase, it is believed that steel section prices may continue to indicate small fluctuations.

The prices are all ex-mill, including 13 percent VAT.

$1 = RMB 7.103