Diverse trends in import plate prices for Turkey, demand low

Demand has remained low and prices have not changed in the local Turkish local steel plate market. Lower scrap prices have created negative sentiment in the market and buyers have been exerting pressure on steel plate prices. "Stocks are sufficient for steel plates in the spot market and scrap prices have declined. Also, fluctuations in the Turkish lira-US dollar rate have made buyers cautious. In this situation, buyers are exerting pressure on prices and discounts seem possible in the market," a trader told SteelOrbis. Fluctuations in currency rates also weaken trade in the Turkish steel plate market and affect demand negatively.

Local producer, Erdemir's plate prices are at $580-590/mt ex-works for S235JR quality and $610-620/mt ex-works for S355 JR quality plates, for November-December production.
Import prices have followed diverse trends since last week. In the import market, Bulgaria’s Stomana Industry S.A. is now offering $550-560/mt CFR for S235JR grade, increasing by $20/mt since last week, and at $600-610/mt CFR for S355JR grade, up $10-20/mt in the same period, for December production. Offers from Romania are now standing at $540-550/mt CFR for S235JR quality, decreasing by $10/mt on the lower end for November deliveries. Offers from Italy are at €500/mt CFR for S235JR quality, decreasing by €20/mt since last week, while offers from South Korea are standing at $540/mt CFR for S235JR quality and at $600/mt for S355JR, both for December deliveries, stable in the same period, as SteelOrbis has learned. 

In the shipbuilding plate segment, prices have not changed, Macedonia-based Makstil’s price is at €500/mt CFR for S235JR quality and €530/mt CFR for S355JR quality, for November-December deliveries, SteelOrbis has learned.

Retail plate prices in Turkey, $/mt