Thai steel plate market gloomy
2015-01-23 08:59:42 [Print]
BEIJING (Asian Metal) 23 Jan 15 - Prices for steel plate in Thailand's major cities moved downward because of the arrival of imported products from China. After the New Year holiday, downstream demand in local market shows no signs of recovering and the export offers from China and Japan are still falling, so insiders are not optimistic about the coming market.
A steel plate end user from Bangkok reveals to Asian Metal that the current price for S275 JR 12-20mm from local mills is THB21,000/t (USD646/t, VAT excluded), down by THB1,000/t (USD30/t) from the beginning of the month.
According to the source, the downstream demand in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries is weaker than expected. The source operates a mill to produce tubes and other components for boilers and construction projects in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia. With the monthly purchasing quantity of 2,000t last year, he has curtailed it by half this month. “I also have some stocks purchased last month, so I will not buy from China for now,” he says.
Another steel plate trader from Bangkok reveals that the price for above grade imported from China is THB20,500/t (USD629/t, VAT excluded), falling by THB500/t (USD15/t) over the middle of the month.
“The government has imposed high import and anti-dumping duty on imported carbon flat steel, but the price slump in China makes there some profits room for importing,” he explains, adding that more imported products with lower purchase cost will arrive at port next month. The local government has announced to cut the quota for duty-free import steels from Japan by half, with that of 1.36 million tons last year. About the coming market, the source takes a cautious attitude.
A steel plate end user from Bangkok reveals to Asian Metal that the current price for S275 JR 12-20mm from local mills is THB21,000/t (USD646/t, VAT excluded), down by THB1,000/t (USD30/t) from the beginning of the month.
According to the source, the downstream demand in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries is weaker than expected. The source operates a mill to produce tubes and other components for boilers and construction projects in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia. With the monthly purchasing quantity of 2,000t last year, he has curtailed it by half this month. “I also have some stocks purchased last month, so I will not buy from China for now,” he says.
Another steel plate trader from Bangkok reveals that the price for above grade imported from China is THB20,500/t (USD629/t, VAT excluded), falling by THB500/t (USD15/t) over the middle of the month.
“The government has imposed high import and anti-dumping duty on imported carbon flat steel, but the price slump in China makes there some profits room for importing,” he explains, adding that more imported products with lower purchase cost will arrive at port next month. The local government has announced to cut the quota for duty-free import steels from Japan by half, with that of 1.36 million tons last year. About the coming market, the source takes a cautious attitude.
