Although steel prices in the Balkan market have shown a limited recovery in recent weeks, the main drivers behind the increase have not been strong demand, but rather producers’ efforts to maintain price discipline and expectations regarding EU trade policies. In particular, while HRC and long product prices have moved upward in Romania and Bulgaria, transaction volumes have remained at low levels.
As of July 27, Romanian HRC prices stood at around EUR 700/t EXW, while long product prices were trading in the range of EUR 640/t. In Bulgaria, rebar prices reached approximately EUR 635/t. These price movements have been supported more by producers’ efforts to defend price levels and expectations regarding EU trade measures rather than by a significant improvement in demand.
Due to the impact of the summer holiday season, many buyers have been purchasing only volumes needed to cover immediate requirements, while new orders remain limited. Buyers’ preference for short-term purchases rather than building inventories has kept transaction volumes low. Although this approach has helped support prices, it also indicates that a cautious market sentiment continues across the region.
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