After substantial price increases of flat steel products for Q1 of 2004, the next price increase for Q2 is already a fact and there are even discussions about a further price increase in Q3. Steel prices rise approx. 20 - 40 euro/ton each quarter, thus pushing steel tube prices up and forcing tube mills to increase prices on a nearly daily basis.
To a large extent, the price increase is caused by a boosting steel demand in China. Therefore, almost no steel export comes from this country, causing a shortage on the global steel market in combination with downsized production capacity in Europe and the US. This causes shortage of coils at the mills and frequent delays of delivery times, thus pushing prices further upwards.
Although price increases were expected, the extent to which everything is developping now is unprecedented and exceeds every anticipation. Besides, the end of this development is not yet in sight.
If you have any tube demand for the next few months, please do not hesitate to order right away. Prices are rising, stocks are decreasing rapidly and due to earlier mentioned delays in delivery times, shortages are not unlikely to occur