WEEKLY: Firm cost support, better domestic sales lift Chinese HRC export prices

Chinese export prices for commercial-grade hot-rolled coils (HRCs) climbed higher during the week of March 16-20, as firmer domestic hot coil prices were underpinned by still-high raw material costs and better home-market sales, Mysteel data show. This prompted Chinese exporters to raise their export offers further after the previous week's $11/t rise.

Mysteel assessed the export price of SS400 3mm HRC at North China's Tianjin port on March 20 at $484/tonne FOB, up by another $6/t on week and marking the highest since September 24 last year. Also on March 20, China's national price of Q235 4.75 mm HRC was at Yuan 3,312/t ($480.7/t) including the 13% VAT,