CIS billet prices remained stable in the Black Sea region during the first half of November, with exporters maintaining existing levels amid cautious market sentiment and buyer resistance to higher offers.
Russian-origin billet continued to trade at $440–445/t FOB Black Sea, showing no weekly change, while offers to Türkiye were heard at $455–460/t CFR. Despite steady pricing, Turkish buyers largely avoided concluding deals, citing competitive alternatives and limited near-term demand.
Donbas-origin billet was assessed at $438–440/t FOB Novorossiysk, with offers into Türkiye at $450–455/t CFR. Market participants noted firmer interest for Donbas material due to slightly more competitive pricing, although confirmed transactions remained scarce.
Traders said that some CIS mills had previously aimed to raise export prices in early November but ultimately postponed adjustments as regional demand did not support higher levels. Slowing domestic consumption in Russia has prompted several mills to consider increasing semi-finished export volumes, though market conditions remain fragile.
In Türkiye, buyers continued to push back against CIS offers, pointing to the narrow gap between CIS billet and Chinese-origin material, the latter still available around the mid-$450s CFR.
Meanwhile, the Chinese domestic billet market experienced mild downward pressure in recent days, driven by weak construction-sector activity and high inventories. However, Chinese export billet values remained relatively stable in the $455–460/t CFR range, supported by consistent demand from the Middle East and African markets.
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