Market sources state that Turkish mills' local offers for prime quality 304/2B stainless steel cold rolled coil (CRC) of 2.0 mm thickness for February deliveries have remained stable over the past week in the range of $2,550/mt ex-works. In the given period, Turkish traders' local stainless steel offers in the spot market have also moved sideways at approximately $2,650-2,700/mt ex-warehouse. According to Turkish traders, the current downward fluctuation of nickel prices are expected to impact on stainless steel ex-warehouse prices within the coming month, causing buyers to wait or conclude transactions only in line with their immediate needs.
On the other hand, according to market sources, offers from Turkey to the export markets for the same stainless products have declined by $175/mt week on week to $2,350-2,400/mt ex-works. With the euro losing strength against the US dollar, ex-Europe stainless steel sales to CIS countries are now performing better compared to sales to the CIS from Turkey. European stainless steel offers to Russia are $125/mt lower than Turkish offers and are currently at $2,250/mt ex-works.
Meanwhile, offers for prime quality 304/2B stainless steel cold rolled coil (CRC) of 2.0 mm thickness from China and Taiwan to the Turkish market have declined by $75/mt over the past week to the range of $2,250-2,300/mt CIF, increasing the downward pressure on Turkish producers' stainless steel prices.
The cash and settlement nickel price at the London Metal Exchange (LME) has decreased by $65/mt since January 21, closing the day at $14,705/mt on January 29.
Weekly price movements of different steel products in major markets can be viewed comparatively in the SteelOrbis Historical Steel Prices section. Market trends can thus be seen more clearly, while desired charts can be created and used in reports or presentations.