After a short period of stability, hot rolled coil (HRC) prices resumed their uptrend in the EU market, increasing from last week's €700-720/mt to the current €710-730/mt level, both ex-works. Local producers, enjoying strong book orders, have kept asking for prices between €730/mt and €750/mt ex-works for shipments from April onwards. The market, as before, is still supported by the significant lack of supply. In this respect, many players are worried about the decision of a court in Italy to order the closure of the hot area at ArcelorMittal Italia's Taranto-based plant (formerly known as Ilva) within the next two months. In fact, this could lead to delays in deliveries, to a further shrinking of supply, and to further price increases in the market. Meanwhile, an unknown factor is represented by the EU steel safeguard measure, which is due to expire at the end of June this year, but could be renewed (even if with amendments) or replaced by specific measures such as antidumping or anti-subsidy duties. What is certain is that, for now, import activities have remained limited, even though import offers have decreased in the past weeks. According to sources, most offers are between €650/mt and €670/mt CFR Italy, with outlier offers at €680-690/mt CFR. The main suppliers are Turkey, India and Egypt and shipments are for between late April and May. SteelOrbis has learned that last week around 20,000 mt of HRC were sold from India to Italy at €640/mt CFR.