Chinese steel prices have entered a downward trend this week, excluding coking coal, which continues to increase amid supply constraints and good demand. Ongoing production restrictions affect domestic raw material demand and prices, while weak buying interest due to volatility in the futures market affects HRC prices.
Chinese iron ore prices fell
Chinese spot iron ore powder 62% prices opened at $119.75/t CNF China for the week and fell to $106.75/t CNF China towards the end of the week.
China's iron ore demand is expected to remain stagnant in the September 21-December period due to the cap on steel production as well as the restrictions on industrial activities ahead of the Winter Olympics.
According to data from the China Iron and Steel Association, China's iron ore imports are expected to be 342.67 mn tons from September 21-December. This equates to 85.67 mn t monthly average iron ore imports in CY'20, well below the average monthly import volume of 97.5 mn t.
According to CISA, China is making every effort to reduce its dependence on imported resources. It will continue to develop the energy sector to support modernization. Further efforts will be made to develop domestic iron ore resources and increase production. According to data provided by SteelHome, iron ore inventories at major Chinese ports rose to 142.3 million tons this week, compared to 140.2 million tons the previous week.
Spot pellet premiums rise
Spot pellet premiums for 65% Fe grade pellets were valued at $76.3/ton, up $4.25/tonne.
Reducing emissions in China will see a strong preference for high-grade iron ore and products such as iron ore chunks and pellets, sources said. However, it was considered more cost-effective to use domestic pellets compared to imported pellets.
The total pellet stock in China's major ports was recorded as 4.3 million tons.
Spot lump-sum premiums are at $0.2200/dmtu
Spot lump sum premiums were recorded as $0.2200/dmtu. There were mixed opinions for the collective premiums for the week. Some sources had expected demand for parts to increase in the coming months due to higher pellet prices and sintering restrictions. However, given the recent decline in coking coal prices and the easing of steel production restrictions in Tangshan and Shanxi, it is heard that bulk demand is currently declining, putting pressure on premiums.
Coking coal offers rise this week
The price of Australian premium low volatile (PLV) hard coking coal (HCC) has risen only slightly this week. However, the prices of weaker grades such as PCI and semi-soft have increased due to the supply shortage caused by the strong thermal coal market in China.
Short supply and restocking demand in the Chinese coking coal market continued to support rising CNF Chinese prices. The latest price for premium HCC grade is estimated at around $402.50/t FOB Australia compared to 399/t FOB a week ago.
Shagang Steel cuts scrap procurement price by $13/ton
Shagang Jiangsu Steel announced its fourth reduction in scrap procurement prices of RMB 80/ton ($13/t) for all grades on October 21.
- After the revision, the price of HMS (6-10 mm) stands at RMB 3,650/ton ($571/t) including 13% VAT.
- Chinese steelmakers have sufficient scrap inventory and are not actively supplying scrap at the moment.
Steel billet prices in Tangshan, China have dropped RMB 90/ton ($14/t), wow. Towards the end of the week, local billet prices stood at RMB 4,900/ton ($766/t) including 13% VAT. According to data, the SHFE rebar futures contract for China's January 22 delivery closed at RMB 4,646/ton ($726/t) on October 29,'21, resulting in a substantial RMB 254/ton ($40/t) witnessed the decline. Wow.
HRC export offers decreased by $30/ton
Major Chinese producers are offering HRC for export at $940-960/ton FOB China, down by $30/ton from $970-990/ton FOB last week.
The wide gap between bids and bids caused trade to slow down. Also, Chinese prices are still higher against other exporting countries such as India and Russia, so exports from China have not been attractive to overseas buyers.
Weak demand and the decline in HRC futures caused a sharp drop in local prices. The current week's prices are at RMB 5,330-5,340/t (eastern China), down RMB 220-260/ton compared to RMB 5,550-5,600/ton (east China) a week ago.
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