China: Billet prices edge up on firm sentiment, improving demand

• Demand improves with stronger speculative buying
  
  
• Coke prices firm after accepted hikes
  
  

Chinese billet prices rose slightly by RMB 10/t ($1/t) to RMB 3,010/t ($442/t) on 21 April, supported by improving domestic demand, stronger speculative buying, and firm raw material costs, especially coke with accepted price hikes.

SHFE rebar futures stayed stable at around RMB 3,133/t ($460/t) as export signals remained mixed but steady, with unchanged steel export indices and only mild improvements in export offers, keeping overall sentiment balanced. Current Chinese billet export prices were heard at around $475/t FOB, up by $5/t d-o-d