Wide-flanged H-beam import prices into Southeast Asia rose for the sixth consecutive month in April as raw material prices globally remained high, market sources said.
S&P Global Platts assessed the April price of wide-flanged S275JR H-beams up $70/mt month on month at $840/mt CFR Southeast Asia April 30.
Offers late in the month were in the range of $840-$890/mt CFR Singapore, up from $790/mt at end March.
Thai-origin beams were offered more competitively, in the range of $840-$850/mt CFR, while South Korean-origin beams were seen offered at $860-$890/mt.
Tradable levels were cited at $840-$850/mt CFR Singapore April 30, with little room for price negotiation with mills.
“If a buyer wants it, they would have to agree to the price pretty much within the day,” a Singapore-based stockist said. “Mills are not eager to sell, and they are just offering some volumes for the sake of maintaining relations. I don’t think they are in bargaining mode at this time when their sales are so good.”
Buyers and traders across the region said offers were increasingly for shorter validity periods, with a Singapore trader noting offers were being refreshed within one or two days.
China-origin beams remained far less competitive for buyers in Southeast Asia as offers surged to $830-$900/mt on an FOB basis for SS400 grades.
Platts wide-flanged S275JR H-beam assessment has surged $292/mt or 53.2% since November.
— Samuel Chin
