Moving to Portugal, it is observed that flats prices have shown decreases as compared to last month. In the Portuguese domestic market flat product prices at the stockists have decreased by average €20/mt. In the market in question, HRC prices are at the level of €410/mt, CRC prices are in the range of €510-520/mt and HDG prices are at €520/mt. Meanwhile, Lusosider's HDG base prices have recorded a decrease of €10/mt as compared to last month.
There is no change observed in the offers given from Italy and Spain to Portuguese and all maintain their levels seen last month. In the offers given from Italy, HRC offers are standing at the base price level of €325/mt delivered to Portugal, while HDG prices are at €410/mt delivered to Portugal, base. In addition, HRC offers given from Spain are at the level of €350/mt delivered to Portugal. Import offers are generally standing at the same levels of Lusosider's offers; thus, Lusosider production materials have been preferred in the local market.
Meanwhile, in the Spanish domestic market, local mills' HRC base prices are in the range of €340-360/mt ex-works. Demand has been trending slack in the Spanish flats market similar to the Portuguese market. The main reason for that is the fact that Spain's being one of the European countries which have been affected from the crisis most. Especially the shrinkage seen in the construction and automotive sectors have significantly affected the demand in this country.
On the other hand, in the Bulgarian flats market plate prices have deteriorated, while HRC prices have shown an increase. Stomana's plate prices vary in the range of €350-360/mt, indicating a decrease of €10/mt as compared to last month. However, domestic HRC prices have shown an increase of €5/mt as compared to last month. Kremikovtzi's HRC offers have reached to €285/mt ex-works from €280/mt ex-works.