Import plate bookings still slow in Turkey

Ukrainian steel producer Alchevsk Iron and Steel Works has cut its plate prices for Turkey by $15/mt as compared to last week, while European mills' plate offers to Turkey have remained unchanged.
 
Accordingly, steel plate offers to Turkey given by Alchevsk Iron and Steel Works are now standing at $630/mt CFR, while Bulgarian producer Stomana's steel plate offers to Turkey are still at the base price level of  €540/mt ($679/mt) CFR and Macedonian mill Makstil's offers are at $815/mt CFR.
 
In the meantime, an Italian steel producer is offering RTT (rolled to thickness) plate to Turkey at the base price level of €525/mt ($660/mt) CFR, while some other European mills' steel plate offers are at an average price level of €540/mt ($729/mt) CFR. All above prices are for July production.
 
Demand in Turkey for steel plate is very slow and purchases are limited to meeting urgent needs and are for small tonnages. Although buyers are still maintaining a wait-and-see stance, market players state that steel plate inventory levels are low and so bookings are expected to start soon.
 
€1 = $1.257