Benelux
While the international scrap market has been generally stable this week, the low price announcement of the HMS 1&2 (80:20) scrap deal from the Netherlands to Türkiye had a negative impact on the market last week. According to sources, a Dutch scrap supplier shipped HMS 1&2 (80:20) scrap to Türkiye at $410/t CFR for a late January-early February shipment, down from $417/t CFR according to SteelRadar Benelux scrap price assessment. Daily price assessments for HMS 1&2 (80:20) were down $5/t to $376/t and $381/t FOB Rotterdam.
Poland
In Poland, steel producers attempted to raise rebar prices amid weak demand, but wire rod prices remained stable. Local steel rebar prices rose to 2,820 Polish zlotys ($716) per tonne last week, whereas wire rod prices remained stable. Demand for both products remained relatively low due to the winter season and the upcoming holidays. Although Polish wire rod producers continued to submit offers in the range of 3,100-3,300 zloty per ton, the markets did not accept this price range. It was reported that other European producers' offers for wire rod were around EUR 640 CPT per tonne.
Between January and November 2023, Poland produced a total of 5.96 million tons of steel, down 14.9% compared to the same period of the previous year. At the end of November, Poland reduced its steel production by 9.7% on a monthly basis to 521,000 tons, according to SteelRadar data. In annual terms, steel production in Poland increased by 26.2% compared to the same period last year, with the average monthly steel production in the January-November period standing at 543.6 thousand tons. These numbers represented a decrease of 17.51% compared to last year.
Germany
Offers for rebar from Germany to Poland were recorded at €640 per tonne CPT, although producers were reportedly tending to sell at €630 per tonne CPT. Türkiye is the most important non-EU customer, with German direct exports rising 6% y/y to 606,583 tons in January-October. Shipments from Germany fell by 3% y/y to 6.45 million tons, with exports to Belgium and Switzerland seeing the largest declines.
For the full year 2022, the export volume was 7.7 million tons, marking the lowest export volume since the economic crisis in 2009, down 14% compared to 2021. Scrap imports in Germany fell by 12% to 4.3 million tons, according to SteelRadar's assessment, while scrap prices increased in December due to some new export deals, notably with Türkiye. However, values are expected to remain stable this month due to the Christmas holidays. German market traders point out that scrap demand from most foreign steel mills has been low for most of the year and a recovery is not expected in 2024.
England
Wire mesh prices in the UK have been published.
According to information received from the market authorities, wire mesh prices in the UK have increased compared to last week's average wire mesh prices.
Prices of wire mesh in the UK, which were announced at $598.00 on December 22, 2023, increased on December 27, 2023.
On December 27, 2023, UK wire mesh prices were quoted at $601.50, up $3.50.
Italy
HRC prices in Italy increased ahead of the Christmas holidays due to extended delivery times. Import prices have been stable. Suppliers in Italy reported around 710/t delivered, basis EUR for HRC for February delivery this week. Trading activity in the market has been low due to the upcoming holidays. "I don't think there are many large orders at these levels," a local source stated. The HRC market in Italy will be closed next week for Christmas and is expected to fully resume in the second week of January.
Meanwhile, rebar prices have stabilized ahead of the Christmas holidays. Workable prices for rebar were at EUR 370-380/t EXW, base (EUR 635-645/t EXW for 12 mm, B450C grade) in the second half of December. The offer price also remained unchanged at EUR 400/t EXW, basis (EUR 665/t for 12 mm, B450C grade).
Cold rolled and hot dipped galvanized coil prices are flat due to slower trade in Italy as the market moves closer to the winter holiday shutdowns later this week. HDG and CRC prices are currently standing at €800/ton ($875) ex-works. CRC supplies have been significantly decreased after a local steelmaker halted its production. At the same time, ArcelorMittal is increasing its hot rolled offers further across Europe. This week, market sources reported that the company offered €750/t HRC ex-works for the German market. In the Italian market, offers are at €740/t ex-works.
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