Italy
In specific rebar prices for 12 mm, B450C grade, prices have increased from EUR 585-595/t EXW a week ago to EUR 615-645/t EXW this week. SteelRadar observes that the suppliers' target price for the prompt delivery price (for 12 mm B450C grade) is EUR665/t.
According to Italian sources, customers are worried that prices will fall again and are unhappy with this upward trend. Therefore, they find it difficult to take a clear approach to purchasing. Moreover, some customers prefer to buy rebar in small volumes and on a daily basis.
Producers in Italy tend not to offer rebar on FOB basis due to low prices. A buyer noted that some Italian producers prefer to produce as market prices are not reasonable at current cost levels.
On the other hand, prompt delivery rebar offer prices from Italy to Central Europe are reported to have increased by EUR20/t to EUR590/t FCA in the past two weeks.
Poland
Despite the truckers' strike on the Ukrainian-Polish border, exports to major pipe consumers such as Germany, the US, Romania and Poland continued, bringing total pipe production in the first two quarters to 376,100 tons, up 5.1% annually.
Transportation costs from Poland to Ukraine increased significantly in November compared to normal, from $1,700-2,300 per container to nearly $5,000. Pipe producers and steel consumers are trying to take various measures to cope with logistical problems as well as demand declines, the report stated.
Rebar prices in Poland fell slightly on weaker trade. Although steel mills' domestic offer prices for 14-32 mm BST500S rebar fell, customer demand decreased.
According to SteelRadar, import rebar offers to Poland were limited due to a shortage of suppliers in Italy, while an offer of EUR 625/t CPT from Moldova was noteworthy.
Germany
It was stated that inflation in Germany decreased to 3.2% in November 2023 compared to the same period of the previous year. This means that inflation in the country has reached its lowest level since June 2021. The decline in energy prices was highlighted by a 4.5% decrease in energy prices in November compared to the same period last year.
Buying activity in the German plate market at the end of November was moderate, although trading activity was not very strong this week. According to SteelRadar, there were no bids below EUR850/t and prices rebounded, although the situation remained uncertain.
In Germany, producers raised their offer prices for S235JR plate for January-February delivery to EUR850/t EXW in the domestic market. Agreements have not yet stabilized at the forecasted level, but some increases have been obtained. Feasible prices for the German plate market were set at EUR 800-820/t EXW, depending on the supplier, while a month ago they were seen at EUR 780-790/t EXW.
Spain
According to the Spanish steel association UNESID, steel production in Spain amounted to 1,016,000 tons in September this year, up 18.5% on the previous month and down 0.6% on an annual basis. In January-September this year, steel production in the country amounted to 8.6 million tons, compared to 9 million tons in the same period last year.
The Spanish steel industry recycled 774,000 tons of scrap into new steel products this month, up 24.8% from August and down 0.9% year-on-year. In the first nine months of this year, the sector processed 7 million tons of scrap.
Spanish mills are trying to increase rebar prices in the domestic market due to high production costs. Spanish rebar offer prices for 12 mm B500SD grade stood at EUR640/t EXW (EUR363/t EXW, basis), compared to EUR590-620/t EXW (EUR313-343/t EXW) two weeks ago. Spanish producers have been trying to raise prices due to high energy costs and scrap prices.
HRC and CRC prices in Spain remained flat this week. HRC and CRC prices are hovering around €675 and €680, respectively.
United Kingdom
Wire mesh prices increased in the UK on December 6, 2023. According to the data, wire mesh prices on December 6, 2023 are trading at USD 608.00.
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