CIS-based slab exporters have been enjoying great support from the solid uptrend in the flats segment, seen specifically in Turkey and the EU. As a result, they have been able to increase their sales prices in the most recent deals and are now targeting even higher levels.
Two Turkish buyers booked regular steel slab lots last week at $745/mt CFR for May production, SteelOrbis has learned. One cargo will be supplied from Ukraine and the other from Russia. Current offers to the Turkish market are at $760/mt CFR with the freight estimated at $25/mt. In the meantime, the HRC prices in Turkey continue to boom, hitting $900/mt ex-works base in official offers for July deliveries.
Some sources report there are ongoing negotiations with buyers from alternative destinations, such as Latin America and the EU. Overall, the ex-CIS slab price range is nowadays estimated at $730-750/mt FOB depending on the customer, increasing by $55-70/mt since early March.
