Poland
SteelRadar data indicate that wire rod prices in Poland did not show any significant changes in February. Wire rod, which was traded at €705 in the last week of January, down €10, continued to trade at the same level in February.
Rebar prices traded at €665 in the week to February 12 and were down €22 to €643 in the week to February 19, with no increase in demand expected. Sources told SteelRadar that stockpile growth may have pushed prices down due to lack of demand, while scrap prices also fell by around €11, which had a direct impact on rebar prices.
Benelux
Another noteworthy price change for the current week was recorded by SteelRadar for HMS 1/2 80:20 in Benelux.
According to SteelRadar data, HMS 1/2 was trading €7 lower at €338 on February 19, after only increasing slightly in the first week of February to stabilize at €345.
Germany
In Germany, HRC prices were trading around €770 until the week of February 19, but dropped to €750 as of February 19, according to SteelRadar data. Buyers are hesitant to add to existing stocks, demand for HRC has also fallen and producers have been forced to reduce prices, sources added.
While stocks are expected to recover in the second quarter of 2024, there are concerns that demand could decline further. In Germany, HRC prices continued the week stable at €750/mt, while Ruhr EXW prices in Northwest Europe were recorded at €720-730/mt. In the coming months, the mentioned decrease is expected to be around €670-680/mt CFR Antwerp offers.
After closing the week of February 16 higher and starting the week slightly higher at €120.02, iron ore followed a downtrend in Germany this week, dropping €2.79 to trade at €117.23 by February 21.
Netherlands
Scrap continues to move sharply lower in the Netherlands, SteelRadar reports.
Scrap, which traded between $393-388 last week, was recorded at $387 on February 19. Continuing the downward trend, the current price for HMS 1/2 80:20 was set at $385 and remained steady.
While sources remained undecided about a further hike, they agreed that it is unlikely to exceed its highest level so far in the short term.
Italy
HRC prices are currently trading at €730 in Italy, SteelRadar data revealed. During February, HRC prices were recorded at €745, but dropped by €10 to €730 in the week to February 19. Sources told SteelRadar that stocks of HRC, which has continued its downward trend across Europe, have increased in Italy as in other countries.
Import wire rod offers from Italy were reported standing at €675-700 per tonne CPT and remained stable. SteelRadar data also showed that Italy witnessed the most notable price changes in Europe during the week to February 19. 12-32 mm rebar was down €10 to €595, while CRC [EN 10130] was down the most by €42 to €828.
SteelRadar recorded HRC [EN 10025] at €730, down €15, as the only other product to have declined in Italy in the current week.
United Kingdom
According to SteelRadar data, wire mesh in the UK fluctuated during the week to February 16 and closed the week $3 higher at $609.
SteelRadar analysts, however, believe that wire mesh started the week of February 19 with a decline and continued its downward trend throughout the week, falling $3 to $606.50 in the week to February 21.
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