H-beam Export Price Hits Bottom in Asia

H-beam export price is hitting bottom in Asia. The price decreased by more than US$ 30 to less than C&F US$ 800 per tonne for Southeast Asia in a month. The supply is still loose. However, the price is expected not to decrease more when higher ferrous scrap cost pressures on electric furnace steel makers. H-beam makers in Japan and other countries try to increase the export price.

H-beam export price is C&F US$ 770-780 per tonne for Southeast Asia. The price decreased since November and some makers apparently offered as low as around US$ 750 to get order in the weak market.

The price stopped decreasing in December. One Japanese electric furnace source said the maker cannot reduce H-beam export price when ferrous scrap price increased. The maker tries to find chance for price hike. South Korean and other offshore H-beam makers would increase the price by US$ 20-30 per tonne.

Japanese integrated steel makers offer more than C&F US$ 800 per tonne for H-beam export. However, the orders for the makers are still low level when the buyers require much lower price.