[SMM Steel]

This week, mines and beneficiation plants in Shandong quoted 64% grade alkaline powder at 810 yuan ex-mine on a dry, pre-tax, acceptance basis, and steel mills raised prices in tandem. Most mines and beneficiation plants maintained normal production as planned; steel mills, especially those in Hebei, purchased actively, with small mills and traders shipping according to scheduled orders. Trading in the region was relatively active throughout the week, and miners held no excess inventory. Recently, iron ore futures have shown a strong trend, which may lift domestic concentrate prices.

[Steel billet] Today, the export FOB price of billet edged up by $4/mt, with Jiangyin Port quoted at $465–470/mt. According to feedback, the recent increase in billet export offers was larger than that of some overseas exporters, and its price advantage was relatively weak, especially in the Southeast Asian market, where it was difficult to compete. By contrast, some deep-sea orders were received.

Cost pressure is evident, but confirmed export transactions have not demonstrated a complete pass-through into realised HRC prices