Turkish flat steel producers have become active again in the export markets after global prices started to trend upward, and the fierce competition they faced amid lower prices has started to ease. This week's increases of $15-20/mt in Chinese flat steel export offers are considered to be a positive sign by the international markets, while this upward movement has contributed to price increases in Turkey's target export outlets.
Domestic price hikes against the backdrop of the full order books of Turkish mills for 2013 production have been reflected in export offers as well. Accordingly, mills hot rolled coil (HRC) export offers have increased by $10-15/mt since last week to $575-585/mt FOB, while their cold rolled coil (CRC) offers stand at $680-695/mt FOB, indicating an increase of $5-10/mt over the same period. Demand in the export market has started to gain strength amid the increased prices.