Outlook negative in Turkey’s steel plate market

The situation in the Turkish plate market has not changed much over the past week as prices have remained stable and demand is still low. Both buyers and sellers are now in wait-and-see mode because they think prices will decrease soon due to lower scrap deal price levels in the country. Import offers are also mostly stable but the demand for imported materials is also slack. The market outlook has remained negative over the past two weeks and no recovery is expected at least until September.

"The market is silent. Everybody is waiting for lower HRC and plate prices. Demand is insufficient as always and we do not expect any recovery soon. But in September it is very likely that buyers will refresh their stocks," a trader told SteelOrbis.

Prices from the local Turkish producer Erdemir have been heard in the market at $1,070-1,090/mt ex-works for S235JR quality and at $1,120-1,170/mt ex-works for S355JR quality plates for October production, unchanged over the past week.

In the import segment, Bulgaria’s Stomana Industry S.A is in the market for October shipments. Its prices are at $1,200-1220/mt CFR for S235JR and $1,230-1,240/mt for S355JR quality plates, unchanged in the same period. Romania is in the market, with $1,170-1,180/mt CFR for S235JR quality plates for September shipments, also unchanged since last week. Prices from Metinvest have also remained stable and are still at $1,080-1,090/mt CFR for S235JR quality materials for October shipments, according to the market sources.

In the shipbuilding plate segment, Macedonia-based Makstil is offering at €1,000/mt CFR for S235JR quality and at €1,030/mt CFR for S355JR quality, for September/October deliveries, deceased by €20/mt since last  week, as SteelOrbis has learned.

Local prices have not changed in the same period in Turkey.