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China
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United States
IndiaQ1 2025
In Q1 2025, China’s stainless steel round bar prices dropped from $2,317/MT in Q4 2024 to $2,284/MT, reflecting persistent oversupply, weak demand from the property sector, and heightened export competition amid global trade barriers. The Chinese market faced headwinds from sluggish construction and real estate activity, with only partial support from infrastructure and manufacturing sectors, and export prices also declined as mills sought to clear inventories. In contrast, prices in both the USA and India fell during the quarter, pressured by ample supply, softer downstream demand, and cautious buying as buyers anticipated further corrections.
The US market was further affected by uncertainty around tariffs and fluctuating scrap prices, while India saw a slowdown in project launches and subdued export orders. Meanwhile, Germany’s market remained stable, supported by steady demand from the engineering and automotive sectors and limited import competition, with local mills maintaining balanced supply. Overall, while Germany held firm, the broader global stainless steel round bar market in Q1 2025 was characterized by price declines or stagnation, especially in Asia and the Americas, amid challenging demand and inventory conditions.
Q4 2024: In India, prices showed a slight rise, reflecting stable domestic demand and consistent production levels. The market in China also saw a modest price increase, supported by steady demand and a gradual recovery in industrial activities. Similarly, Germany experienced a small price increase, driven by robust demand from key sectors such as automotive and manufacturing, although supply constraints continued to influence market dynamics.
The USA, however, witnessed the most significant price decrease among the regions. Strong demand from the automotive and construction industries played a major role, as these sectors continued to drive the need for stainless steel round bars.
Overall, the Q4 2024 stainless steel round bar market was characterized by steady growth across all regions, with the USA and Germany seeing the most notable price adjustments.
Q3 2024 The stainless-steel round bar market in Q3 2024 displayed a stable pricing trend across various regions, with balanced supply and demand influencing market conditions. In the United States, prices experienced a slight decline, primarily due to continuing weak demand from key industries and the ongoing economic challenges. High interest rates and cautious buying behavior further limited any significant price movements, contributing to a more subdued market atmosphere.
In Europe, the market for stainless steel round bars remained relatively stable, with pricing conditions in Germany showing a modest increase compared to previous quarter. This was driven by steady demand from industries such as automotive and manufacturing. However, similar to other regions, there was little price variation between the first and second halves of the quarter, suggesting a balanced market sentiment.
Meanwhile, in India and China, prices for stainless steel round bars saw a slight decline during Q3 2024. This drop was attributed to global oversupply and moderate demand, which put downward pressure on prices in both regions.
Q2 2024: The stainless-steel round bar market in Q2 2024 experienced a mixed trend across different regions. In the United States, prices continued to be under pressure due to weak demand from key industries and ongoing economic concerns. High interest rates further suppressed buying activity, contributing to bearish market sentiment. Additionally, rising transportation costs and seasonal factors intensified the challenges faced by the market, leading to a subdued outlook for the quarter.
In contrast, the market in Germany showed a slight price increase, although it was modest. The German market benefited from some recovery in industrial activity, particularly in the automotive and manufacturing sectors, following the winter slowdown. However, overall demand remained relatively stable, preventing any significant price escalation.
In India and China, prices for stainless steel round bars remained relatively stable, with minimal changes observed compared to the previous quarter. The market conditions in both regions reflected steady demand, but external factors such as supply chain issues and fluctuations in raw material prices continued to influence market stability.
Q1 2024 The stainless-steel round bar market saw a decline in the first quarter of 2024, with prices dropping in various regions. In the US, the decline was driven by low downstream demand, coupled with a relatively stable supply of raw materials such as nickel and iron ore. Despite sufficient feedstock availability, the overall market sentiment was weak, leading to a decrease in prices. Similarly, prices in India and China also saw a reduction compared to the previous quarter, reflecting global market pressures. In Germany, the stainless steel round bar market experienced a noticeable price decrease as well, although demand from key sectors like automotive and manufacturing remained steady. The Q1 2024 global price trend reflects cautious market behaviour, with excess supply of nickel and reduced demand for stainless steel products contributing to the overall decline.
In Q1 2025, prices softened slightly to $2,407/MT, a 0.48% decrease from the previous quarter. The market experienced a seasonal slowdown as construction and project activity paused after the year-end rush. Additionally, some buyers delayed purchases in anticipation of potential price corrections amid global economic uncertainties. Export demand moderated as international buyers adopted a wait-and-watch approach, influenced by fluctuating input costs and currency movements. Mills responded by offering limited discounts, but overall, the market remained stable with expectations of a gradual recovery as the year progressed.
By Q4 2024, stainless steel round bar prices in India climbed to $2,419/MT, marking the strongest quarter-on-quarter gain of 0.86% during the year. This was supported by robust year-end demand from both domestic and export markets, as buyers rushed to complete projects and restock inventories before the close of the financial year. The government’s continued push for infrastructure and manufacturing investments further boosted consumption. Mills operated at high-capacity utilization, and order books remained healthy. Export demand was also strong, with Indian material remaining attractive in global markets due to its quality and price competitiveness.
In Q3 2024, prices rose further to $2,398/MT, up 0.41% from the previous quarter. The market saw continued improvement in demand from the automotive and engineering industries, with several infrastructure projects progressing steadily. Raw material costs, particularly for nickel and chromium, remained firm, providing cost support for mills. Export demand held steady, especially from Europe and Southeast Asia. Despite the monsoon season, which typically slows construction, the overall market mood was positive, and mills were able to maintain firmer offers.
Prices edged up to $2,388/MT in Q2 2024, a modest 0.31% increase quarter-on-quarter. The improvement was driven by a gradual pickup in demand from the infrastructure and manufacturing sectors as project execution gained pace with the onset of the dry season. Export opportunities improved slightly, particularly to the Middle East and Europe, where Indian stainless steel remained competitively priced. Mills benefited from reduced inventories and firmer raw material costs, which supported the price uptick. Market sentiment became cautiously optimistic, with expectations of further recovery as downstream demand strengthened.
In Q1 2024, the average price of stainless steel round bar in India was $2,381/MT, reflecting a marginal 0.39% decline from the previous quarter. The market faced sluggish demand from the construction and engineering sectors, as project activity remained slow after the year-end. Inventory levels at service centres and distributors were relatively high, leading to cautious procurement and limited restocking. Export orders were also subdued due to competitive offers from Southeast Asian producers. Mills responded by offering minor discounts and flexible payment terms, but overall sentiment remained cautious as buyers awaited clearer signals of recovery.
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These events underscore the Stainless steel round bar market’s vulnerability to global disruptions and highlight the need for continuous monitoring of supply-demand dynamics.
This research methodology ensures that PriceWatch delivers the most accurate, timely, and actionable Stainless steel round bar pricing assessments, helping our clients stay ahead of market trends and make informed business decisions.
Molecular Weight[g/mol]
CAS No
HS Code
Molecular Formula
Stainless Steel round bar is a cylindrical steel product that is produced through a process of rolling or forging. The steel is heated to a high temperature and then passed through rollers or forged to create a round cross-section, resulting in a long, solid bar with a consistent diameter. Round bars are commonly used in a variety of industries, including construction, automotive, and manufacturing, due to their versatility and strength.
Packaging Type
Grades Covered
Incoterms Used
Synonym
PriceWatch Quotation Terms:
Ex-Location: This incoterm refers to a shipping agreement where the seller makes the goods available at their premises, and the buyer is responsible for all transportation costs, including shipping, insurance, and any other fees.
CIF: CIF refers to the Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) terms for goods. Under CIF terms, the seller is responsible for the cost of goods, insurance, and freight charges until the goods reach the port of destination.
FD: FD stands for Free Delivered where the seller takes full responsibility for delivering goods to the location/port. This ensures the buyer receives the goods at the designated port with all necessary costs, except import duties, covered.
FOB: FOB refers to the Free On-Board shipping term, where the seller is responsible for the cost and risk of delivering the goods to the port. Once the goods are on board the vessel, the responsibility shifts to the buyer for all costs, including shipping and insurance.
| Property | Specification |
| Material Grade | SS 304 (AISI 304) |
| Standard | ASTM A276 / A479, ASME SA276 / SA479 |
| Chemical Composition | Fe: Balance, Cr: 18-20%, Ni: 8-10.5%, C: ≤ 0.08%, Mn: ≤ 2%, Si: ≤ 1%, P: ≤ 0.045%, S: ≤ 0.03% |
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 515 MPa (75,000 psi) |
| Yield Strength | ≥ 205 MPa (30,000 psi) |
| Hardness | ≤ 201 HB (Brinell) / ≤ 92 HRB (Rockwell) |
| Melting Point | 1400 – 1450°C |
Applications
The pricing of Stainless-Steel Round Bars is influenced by several key factors, including:
1. Raw Material Costs
• The price of Nickel, Chromium, Manganese, and Iron significantly impacts stainless steel prices.
• Market fluctuations in these metal prices can lead to cost variations.
2. Grade of Stainless Steel
• Different grades (e.g., 304, 316, 410, 430) have varying compositions and properties, affecting costs.
• Higher alloy content (e.g., 316 with Molybdenum) increases corrosion resistance but also price.
3. Manufacturing Process
• Hot Rolled vs. Cold Drawn: Cold-drawn bars have better finish and precision but are costlier.
• Heat Treatment & Annealing: Additional processing steps raise production costs.
4. Size & Dimensions
• Larger diameters or custom lengths increase material usage and production complexity.
• Precision tolerance requirements add to machining costs.
5. Supply & Demand
• Higher demand from industries like construction, automotive, and aerospace can drive prices up.
• Global supply chain issues or trade restrictions can impact availability and costs.
6. Import & Export Tariffs
• Duties and tariffs on stainless steel imports/exports affect pricing.
• Trade policies of major producers (China, India, USA, EU) influence global prices.
7. Energy & Production Costs
• Electricity, fuel, and labor costs in the manufacturing region contribute to price fluctuations.
• Countries with high energy costs may have more expensive stainless steel products.
8. Market Conditions & Inflation
• Economic conditions, inflation rates, and currency fluctuations impact material costs.
• Increased transportation costs (e.g., fuel price hikes) can affect final pricing.
9. Certifications & Compliance
• Stainless steel bars requiring ISO, ASTM, ASME, or other certifications may cost more due to rigorous testing.
• Compliance with specific industry standards can impact pricing.
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