Weekly Summary: 2025 China Bearing Steel Market Trend in Third Week of April fluctuates and declines

Weekly Summary: 2025 China Bearing Steel Market Trend in Third Week of April fluctuates and declines

1、 This week's review

In terms of price

This week, the price of bearing steel fluctuated downward, and as of today, the absolute price index of GCr15 is 4932 yuan/ton.

Overview of Major Markets

The price of bearing steel in Liaocheng market is running weakly, with average transactions. The current spot supply of bearing steel in Liaocheng market mainly comes from steel mills such as Juneng, Handan Iron and Steel, and Qinggang, with inventory levels of over 1000 tons maintained by multiple traders. The current downstream demand is flat, and the procurement pace of the machinery manufacturing and automotive industries is slowing down. Market transactions are mainly based on small orders for essential needs. In order to promote transactions, some traders have lowered their prices by about 30 yuan/ton to stimulate transactions, and the overall wait-and-see atmosphere is strong. Overall, it is expected that the price of bearing steel in Liaocheng market will remain weakly stable next week. Currently, Jiyuan Steel's GCr15 Φ 30-75 is priced at 4240 yuan/ton, while Juneng Special Steel's GCr15 Φ 16-90 is priced at 3980 yuan/ton.

The price of bearing steel in the Hangzhou market is stable but slightly weak, and downstream purchases are made according to demand. In terms of spot inventory, Zhongtian, Nangang, and Benxi Iron and Steel have slightly abundant resources, while most traders maintain inventory levels of approximately 800 tons. At present, downstream demand is average, terminal enterprises are cautious in procurement, market transactions are weak, traders are cautious, and some merchants are offering small discounts to promote transactions. In terms of steel mills, production remains stable, but the order volume has decreased and inventory has slightly increased. Overall, if there is no significant improvement in demand, it is expected that the price of bearing steel in the Hangzhou market will continue to consolidate slightly in the short term. As of press time, Zhongtian Steel's GCr15 Φ 40-140 is quoted at 4170 yuan/ton, and Daye Special Steel's GCr15 Φ 20-40 is quoted at 4610 yuan/ton.

The price of bearing steel in the Wuxi market is weak and consolidating, with light trading volume. In the Wuxi market, Zhongtian, Bengang, Yonggang and other bearing steel products are relatively abundant, and most traders maintain inventory levels of about 1000 tons or more. Affected by the weak demand in the downstream machinery manufacturing industry, the market transaction performance is average, and the pressure on traders to ship has increased. Merchants have lowered prices to promote a delivery of about 30-50 yuan/ton. In terms of steel mills, supply remains stable, but there is a shortage of new orders, resulting in a slight accumulation of factory inventory. The prices of raw materials are fluctuating, with average cost support and a strong wait-and-see sentiment in the market. Overall, it is expected that the price of bearing steel in the Wuxi market will continue to operate weakly in the short term. As of press time, the current quotation for GCr15 Φ 40-140 from Zhongtian Steel is 4170 yuan/ton, and the quotation for GCr15 Φ 31-90 from Xingcheng Special Steel is 5500 yuan/ton.

The price of bearing steel in the Dalian market is running weakly, with stable transactions. In the Dalian market, Benxi Iron and Steel, Dongte Shares, and Jianlong Beiman have abundant sources of goods, with large-scale traders maintaining inventory of around 1000 tons. At present, the demand for manufacturing in Northeast China is stable, and local terminal enterprises purchase according to demand, resulting in stable transaction performance. Traders have slightly lowered their quotes in order to increase shipments, with only a few specifications adjusted slightly due to differences in delivery. Overall, it is expected that there will be no significant fluctuations in downstream demand in the short term, and the price of bearing steel in the Dalian market is expected to remain weak and stable in the short term. Currently, Bengang Special Steel's GCr15 Φ 81-130 is priced at 4130 yuan/ton, Dongte Stock's GCr15 Φ 86-180 is priced at 4130 yuan/ton, and Jianlong Beiman's GCr15 Φ 30-75 is priced at 4230 yuan/ton.

The price of bearing steel in Luoyang market is running weakly and steadily, with average transactions. Recently, the supply of Jiyuan Steel and Daye Special Steel in the Luoyang market has been relatively abundant, with multiple traders holding around 500 tons in stock. Supported by the demand of surrounding terminal industries, local transactions maintain essential procurement, but traders have reported that the overall shipping pace is average, and social inventory remains at a reasonable level. Traders' willingness to ship has increased, and bargaining space has expanded. Overall, it is expected that the price of bearing steel in the Luoyang market will fluctuate narrowly next week. As of the time of writing, Jiyuan Steel's GCr15 Φ 6.5-23 is quoted at 4460 yuan/ton, Daye Special Steel's GCr15 Φ 20-40 is quoted at 4580 yuan/ton, and Hegang Stone Steel's GCr15 Φ 131-180 is quoted at 4210 yuan/ton.

Regarding steel mills

From April 11th to April 18th, a total of one steel mill released price adjustment information, with a cumulative total of one price adjustment information. Next week, we should continue to pay attention to the impact of consumer demand and steel mill maintenance.

2、 Next week's outlook

This week, the prices of bearing steel in the national market fluctuated downward, with slight regional differentiation in trends. Due to insufficient demand in some regions, the mainstream quotation has been slightly reduced by 30-50 yuan/ton. The downstream machinery manufacturing industry remains cautious in procurement, with average market transactions. Traders have reported a decrease of about 20% in transaction volume compared to the same period last month, indicating a strong wait-and-see sentiment in the market. In the short term, under the game of weak cost support and demand, it is expected that the market price of bearing steel will continue to fluctuate narrowly next week.