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This week, Tangshan Ruifeng strip steel prices fell by 20 yuan/ton. While major northern pipe mills raised ex-factory prices for welded and galvanized pipes, East China distributors lowered selling prices as trading volumes continued to weaken. Shandong hot-rolled tube billet prices were cut by 10 yuan/ton, and East China seamless pipe prices trended downward. For overseas buyers sourcing steel pipes from China, this softening price environment and rising mill inventories present a strategic procurement window worth close attention.
East China major cities saw steel pipe prices adjust within a range of 10–40 yuan/ton this week, broadly reflecting weak off-season demand across the region.
Welded Pipes and Galvanized Pipes: East China welded and galvanized pipe prices showed mixed movements with regional divergence. Shanghai market welded pipe fell 10 yuan/ton to 3,580 yuan/ton, while galvanized pipe held steady at 4,120 yuan/ton. Nanjing market welded pipe remained stable at 3,530 yuan/ton, with galvanized pipe down 20 yuan/ton to 4,120 yuan/ton. Hangzhou market welded pipe held at 3,600 yuan/ton, while galvanized pipe edged up 20 yuan/ton to 4,170 yuan/ton. On the cost side, Tangshan Ruifeng strip steel (485–645 series) quotes dropped 20 yuan/ton from last week, and raw material support remained weak. However, major northern pipe mills maintained relatively firm ex-factory prices. On the supply side, both pipe mill output and mill inventory rose this week. Demand continued to soften, with downstream procurement appetite low and merchant sentiment broadly bearish. With insufficient cost support and limited demand release, East China welded and galvanized pipe prices are expected to remain on a weak trajectory next week. For international buyers, the divergence between firm mill ex-factory prices and softening distributor selling prices means negotiation leverage currently favors the buyer — particularly for spot purchases from East China distributors seeking to move inventory.
Seamless Pipes: The East China seamless pipe market showed a slight weakening trend this week, with regional prices diverging. Shanghai and Hangzhou prices fell by 20 yuan/ton and 40 yuan/ton respectively, while Nanjing remained largely stable. Current 108×4.5mm quotes stand at 4,280 yuan/ton in Shanghai, 4,210 yuan/ton in Nanjing, and 4,130 yuan/ton in Hangzhou. On the cost side, both Shandong and Jiangsu tube billet prices were reduced by 10 yuan/ton, and major Shandong seamless pipe mills slightly lowered ex-factory quotes, weakening support for spot prices. Supply-side, seamless pipe output and mill inventories rose in tandem, with enterprise inventory pressure continuing to mount. Demand retained its off-season character, with downstream users maintaining only essential procurement. Overall trading remained sluggish, and distributors relied on price concessions to drive sales. Under the combined impact of declining raw material costs and rising bearish sentiment, East China seamless pipe prices are expected to remain weak in the near term. For overseas importers, falling billet costs and rising mill inventories suggest that seamless pipe orders placed in the coming weeks may yield more competitive offers — especially for buyers able to commit to volume.
This week, welded and galvanized pipe output and mill inventories continued to increase, with mill inventories hitting a new intra-year high. Seamless pipe output declined from elevated levels, but mill inventories continued to accumulate and remain high. East China steel pipe prices fell, and market trading continued to slide. For foreign buyers, rising inventory at the mill level may translate into greater willingness to negotiate on both price and delivery terms.
Off-season characteristics are pronounced. End-users are purchasing on a need-only basis, and overall market trading activity remains subdued. International buyers should note that subdued domestic demand often frees up production capacity for export orders, potentially improving lead times for overseas shipments.
Prices are expected to continue their weak adjustment. Trader sentiment is pessimistic, with improvement anticipated from late September onward as seasonal demand typically recovers. Buyers planning Q4 procurement may find that placing orders in the current soft market — ahead of the expected September rebound — could secure more favorable pricing and terms.
The East China steel pipe market is in a clear off-season phase, with welded, galvanized, and seamless pipe prices all trending downward amid rising inventories and weak demand. For international buyers sourcing steel pipes from China, this period of price softness and elevated mill inventories creates a strategic procurement window. Cost support from raw materials is weakening, mills are carrying high inventory, and traders are motivated to clear stock — all factors that tilt the negotiation landscape in favor of overseas purchasers. With domestic demand expected to recover from late September, buyers who act before the seasonal rebound may secure more competitive pricing and better delivery terms.
