Nickel prices at the London Metal Exchange (LME) have been stronger this month compared to July, encouraging stainless steel mills to increase their offers. The ongoing summer holiday in Europe has diminished the volume of offers, though in September European mills are expected to revise their stainless steel prices upwards.
In the meantime, ex-Europe stainless steel deals have continued to be concluded in Turkey. European offers to Turkey for 304/2B stainless steel cold rolled coil (CRC) of 2.0 mm thickness are ranging at €1,800-1,900/mt ($2,412-2,546/mt) CIF, while market sources inform SteelOrbis that deals in Turkey for ex-Europe second quality materials have been concluded at €1,700/mt ($2,278/mt) CIF.
Stainless steel traders in Turkey, who generally import materials from Far Eastern sources, such as Taiwan, South Korea and China, prefer to import European materials at the moment, particularly second quality materials from ready stocks, due to their short lead times and more attractive prices. Turkey's most important import sources for stainless flat steel products in Europe are Germany, Finland, Italy, Belgium and France, in order of importance.
$1 = €1.34
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