Plate business activity has still been moderate in Turkey, although the demand coming from the end-user side is not currently enough to satisfy both local and foreign suppliers. According to sources, most of the orders are for small tonnages and are usually placed to the local producer and traders, while the interest in the import material is lower due to a longer lead time and higher offer levels. Over the week, the prices for both domestic and import plate have softened in Turkey with rare exclusions.
Local Erdemir is offering $800/mt ex-works for St.37 plate, $20/mt down over two weeks. “The demand is fine though not very numerous orders we see,” a domestic trader told SteelOrbis.
In the import segment, only Bulgaria has remained stable at $850/mt CFR for September-October shipments, while other suppliers have decreased their targets. Romania is at $840-850/mt CFR for October shipments, $10/mt down over two weeks. South Korea is at $800/mt CFR for same shipment terms versus $820/mt CFR offers from the early August. In the meantime China is offering from $730/mt to $760/mt CFR depending on the supplier and the grade of plate, SteelOrbis has learned.