Chinese steel futures dropped to a record low on Friday as supply outpaced fragile demand in the world's top market for the commodity where slower economic growth has hit consumption. Prices of raw material iron ore were near their cheapest level since September 2012, also overwhelmed by brisk supply as Chinese steel mills offered some cargoes back into the market to boost cashflow.
Rebar for October delivery on the Shanghai Futures Exchange touched a low of 3,104 yuan ($500) a tonne, the lowest for a most-active contract since the bourse launched rebar futures in March 2009. Rebar, used to reinforce concrete in buildings, was down 1.5 percent at 3,105 yuan a tonne by midday. It has lost 2.1 percent for the week so far, on track for its third weekly fall.
"The future is not encouraging for the steel market. Demand is not as strong as many had expected yet steel production remains very high," said an iron ore trader in Shanghai. Large steelmakers in China produced a record high 1.824 million tonnes of crude steel in the first 10 days of May, data from the China Iron and Steel Association showed. With excess annual production capacity of at least 200 million tonnes, based on industry estimates, oversupply has plagued China's steel sector for years, prompting the government to step up its campaign to shut more of the outdated plants this year.
The impact of oversupply is becoming more pronounced as China's economy grows at a slower clip, with economists saying Beijing may need to launch more stimulus measures to achieve its growth target of 7.5 percent for 2014. The weaker steel market is weighing on iron ore. Iron ore for September delivery on the Dalian Commodity Exchange was down 2 percent at 724 yuan a tonne, and also on course for a third weekly drop.
Iron ore for immediate delivery to China fell 0.7 percent to $102.80 a tonne on Thursday, according to data compiler Steel Index. That was a tad above last Friday's $102.70 which was its cheapest level since September 14, 2012. It was in September 2012 when iron ore tumbled to a three-year low of $86.70, forcing global miners such as Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton to cut costs and review expansion plans.
"Many in the market think the price will go below $100 so they're waiting rather than take any action. For most businesses, the focus now is not to lose money rather than make money," said a trader in Tianjin. Chinese mills are among those selling iron ore cargoes in the market, putting even more pressure on prices. "We have been contacted by two big mills who said they want to sell three capsize cargoes that are still at sea or have not been loaded," said the Shanghai trader. "I think they have enough inventory of iron ore at the moment and they want to get some cash back."
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