China Economic Monitoring and Analysis Center (CEMAC) is an organization that monitors and analyzes the market prices of important means of production in China. In late March 2023, CEMAC observed changes in prices of 50 kinds of products in 9 categories that are widely used in the national circulation field.
Among the observed products, 10 experienced price increases, 35 had price decreases, and 5 remained unchanged compared to mid-March 2023. The products monitored include ferrous metals such as rebar, wire, and steel plates, non-ferrous metals like copper and aluminum, chemical products including sulfuric acid, caustic soda, and polyethylene, petroleum and gas products like liquefied natural gas and gasoline, coal, non-metallic building materials such as cement and glass, and agricultural products used for processing such as rice and soybeans.
Some of the notable changes in prices include a decrease in prices of ferrous metals, with rebar and wire experiencing a decline of -2.5% in price, and angle steel witnessing a decrease of -2.3%. Non-ferrous metals like electrolytic copper saw an increase in price by 1.5%, while zinc ingot experienced a decrease of -0.5%. Chemical products like methyl alcohol and polyvinyl chloride also witnessed price decreases.
In the petroleum and gas sector, liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas experienced significant price decreases of -5.3% and -3.9% respectively, while gasoline and diesel oil also had price decreases. In the coal sector, anthracite and coking coal witnessed price decreases of -6.0% and -5.1% respectively.
Non-metallic building materials like ordinary Portland cement saw a price increase of 2.4%, while float flat glass experienced a price increase of 1.8%. Agricultural products used for processing, such as rapeseed oil and wheat flour, also experienced price changes.
CEMAC’s monitoring and analysis of market prices provide insights into the changes in prices of important means of production in China, which can have significant implications for various industries and sectors of the economy. These price changes may impact production costs, profit margins, and overall economic trends, and are closely monitored by businesses, policymakers, and investors for decision-making purposes.
http://www.stats.gov.cn/english/PressRelease/202304/t20230404_1938345.html