Sources inform SteelOrbis that Argentina’s prices on flat steel products continue to trend relatively stable in mid-November. According to sources, the domestic prices for HRC are presently at $680-700/mt ex-works, CRC at $825-835/mt ex-works, and HDG coil at $1,050-$1,100/mt ex-works. A source noted that prices have maintained their stability for several months as Argentina’s economy is recovering and on the back of relatively strong raw material prices.
CEO of Argentina’s Ternium Siderar, Martin Berardi, noted during the recent Alacero 58 Conference that Argentina’s new political direction is injecting confidence in the marketplace and will hopefully further expand domestic industrial growth and investments in 2018. The energy, construction, public works, and agricultural sectors are showing increases in 2017 and are expected to continue into 2018, he commented. He added that as Brazil strengthens from its political and economic challenges in 2018 and more substantially in 2019 and 2020, it will reflect positively for Argentina’s industries, especially in the automotive sector. Of concern are the high costs with labor and transportation, but public policy changes are under discussion in hopes of improving negotiations with relevant entities to lessen the burden.