As predicted by some local sources at the beginning of March, flat steel prices in the Italian market have reached their maximum levels since 2011, and, remaining stable over the past week, they may not increase further in the coming period. In fact, producers are not targeting new price increases as local supply and demand is balanced. Domestic hot rolled coil (HRC) base prices in Italy are currently at €555-560/mt ($677-689/mt), while domestic cold rolled coil (CRC) and hot dip galvanized (HDG) coil quotations are respectively at €635-645/mt ($781-793/mt)and €640-650/mt ($787-800/mt), all ex-works.
Meanwhile, as reported previously, distributors are still suffering from low margins, as in past weeks they have not been able to pass mills' price increases on to the end-user market, where demand is not particularly strong.
€1 = $1.23