Algeria restricts wire rod imports

SteelOrbis has learned that the Algerian government has lately blocked wire rod imports through a new fiscal law linked to import licenses, similar to the one used at the beginning of the current year for rebar, concrete and cars imports.

The new measure seems to be aimed at supporting Oran, Algeria-based producer Tosyali and at restricting imports by Algerian group Cevital which has been importing over 20,000 tons per month from the Piombino-based plant in Italy formerly owned by Lucchini.

The measure will not impact Italian producers as much as the previous restriction on rebar imports, since they export wire rod to Algeria in significantly lower volumes compared to rebar.