National Seamless Steel Pipe Prices Expected to Continue Fluctuating Today

【Price Review】

On March 30, seamless steel pipe prices in major cities across the country remained stable. The national average price of seamless pipes (108*4.5mm) was reported at 4,267 yuan/ton, up 1 yuan/ton from the previous trading day. In Linyi, the price of seamless pipes (108*4.5mm) remained stable, and in Liaocheng, the price also held steady. The seamless steel pipe price index stood at 4,164.96, an increase of 7.59 from the previous trading day.

【Raw Materials】

Pipe Billets: On March 30, ex-factory prices for pipe billets increased by 10. Hot-rolled pipe billets (20#): Tiangang 3,280, Donghai 3,260; Continuous casting round billets (20#): Gangtou Special Steel 3,290. (Unit: yuan/ton)

Steel Billets: On March 31, the Tangshan steel billet index was 3,009.0. The settled price of Tangshan Qian’an plain steel billets was 2,980, with a weekly average of 2,974.29 and a monthly average of 2,957.33. The spot price for traders was around 3,050. (Unit: yuan/ton)

【Transaction Performance】

On March 30, the total transaction volume of 124 seamless steel pipe trader sample enterprises nationwide was 16,476 tons, down 0.2% day-on-day but up 7.6% year-on-year. By region, except for East China, Southwest China, North China, and Northwest China, where transaction volumes increased, all other regions saw declines, with Northeast China experiencing the largest drop of 18%.

【Market Conditions】

Today, the average price of seamless pipes (108*4.5mm) was reported at 4,267 yuan/ton, up 1 yuan/ton from the previous trading day. Black futures prices showed a strong performance, while raw material prices edged up. Mainstream market quotes remained generally stable. Traders reported average market transaction activity, with recent price increases largely driven by cost support rather than strong demand. Additionally, as the month-end approaches, the market is focused on sales, with transactions mostly conducted on a case-by-case basis, offering discounts for large volumes. In the short term, the market may adopt a wait-and-see approach, and domestic seamless steel pipe prices are expected to stabilize tomorrow.

【Pipe Mill Conditions】

A weekly survey of production conditions at national seamless steel pipe mills (30 manufacturing enterprises, 101 production lines) shows this week’s output at 423,500 tons, an increase of 24,300 tons week-on-week and 129,900 tons month-on-month. Capacity utilization stood at 84.93%, up 4.87% week-on-week and 26.05% month-on-month. Operating rates were 80.2%, up 0.99% week-on-week and 26.73% month-on-month. In-plant inventory was 772,400 tons, down 12,800 tons week-on-week but up 22,700 tons month-on-month. Raw material inventory was 344,100 tons, up 38,000 tons week-on-week and 27,500 tons month-on-month.

【Industry and Economic News】

The U.S. is engaged in serious negotiations with Iran to end military operations in Iran. Trump has threatened to “completely destroy all Iranian power plants, oil wells, and Kharg Island” if an agreement is not reached soon. Iranian officials have stated that if power facilities are attacked, Iran will cut off electricity to the entire region.

The Iranian Parliament’s National Security Committee has approved a bill to impose fees on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The plan includes implementing financial arrangements and a fee system in Iranian rials and prohibiting U.S. and Israeli vessels from passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell stated that long-term inflation expectations appear to remain under control, noting that monetary policy is in a good position. This statement eased market concerns that the Federal Reserve would raise interest rates to combat inflation, prompting traders to reconsider the possibility of rate cuts this year.

From March 23 to March 29, global iron ore shipments totaled 24.724 million tons, a decrease of 6.719 million tons week-on-week. Iron ore shipments from Australia and Brazil totaled 18.751 million tons, down 6.843 million tons week-on-week.