Steel industry value chain - flat products

Iron ore, pig iron, slab, HRC, CRC, HDG prices, Q4 2012

Prices in the chart above represent an indication of the steel value chain as at Q4 2012. Site visitors should note that:

• All prices are per metric tonne
• Ore prices are for China imported fines 62% Fe (cfr Tianjin port)
• Pig iron is the world average fob export price
• Slab price is world average fob export price [carbon content <0.25%]
• Hot rolled coil is unpickled wide strip, world average fob export price
• Cold rolled coil and galvanised steel prices (for hot dip galvanised, HDG sheet and coil) are also world averages.

The chart below shows the value chain and the associated steel price trends for the last four quarters. Note the declining price trend which is evident for the raw materials as well as for semi-finished and finished steel products.

This page is updated quarterly [Last update: 16th May 2013].

For further information about current steel prices [including an analysis of the steel long product value added chain covering scrap, billet, bar and wire rod] please contact us - or see our price of steel page.

Site visitors are asked to note that for finished steel products, export fob prices can often be 15% or so below local market prices. Product definitions are important when making comparisons such as those above; please call us if further clarification is required.