The recent collapse of the import plate prices in Turkey has not quite affected flats prices in the same dramatic matter as it has affected longs prices. HRC price levels have moved down only slightly over the past week, while domestic plate prices have stabilized for now, as have import offers from Europe, while Asian suppliers have provided discounts.
Currently, ex-China base plate grade prices for June shipments are at $575-585/mt CFR, while a week earlier the suppliers targeted around $590-605/mt CFR. Moreover, additional $5-10/mt discounts are considered possible. South Korean plate is now offered at $630-640/mt CFR, down from $650/mt CFR a week earlier.
Import plate offers from Europe have remained high, while Bulgarian prices are stable at $800/mt CFR in official prices for June shipments. The Romanian mill plans a restart of its long-idled blast furnace in early May. However, local Turkish sources consider the workable levels to be hardly above $750/mt CFR. The Macedonian plate supplier, according to sources, has offered plate at €710-720/mt DAP for shipbuilding grades, while some buyers have reported higher levels as well.
In the domestic market, Turkish producer Erdemir, according to sources, is trying to stick to $700/mt ex-works offers, while some customers report $670-680/mt ex-works levels are also considered possible.