Prices for steel plate have so far remained stable in Turkey despite sluggish demand and increasing scrap and hot rolled coil (HRC) prices. However, some positive effect is being seen as suppliers tend to be less aggressive. “After the price increases in the market, discounts [for plate] are now limited to $10/mt. It is still early to say anything certain, but we have started to think we have already seen the bottom for plate prices,” a trader told SteelOrbis.
On the other hand, stocks are high in the country. “Turkish steel mills increased their HRC prices due to higher scrap prices, but demand does not support the uptrend. We also have the same situation, we cannot give larger discounts because of higher HRC prices, because we have to replace our feedstock. But demand is still sluggish and there is no sign of improvement for now,” another trader said.
Turkey-based Erdemir is offering $530-540/mt ex-works for April-May deliveries. Some sources report the level of $520/mt ex-works has been also available from the mill, but this has not been confirmed by the time of publication. Big traders in Gebze are offering $570/mt for S235JR quality and $600/mt for S355 quality plates, both ex-warehouse, and these prices are for long-term payments and prompt deliveries. In the meantime, traders in Turkey continue to offer St37 grade 15-40 mm x 1,500 mm plate at $540-560/mt ex-warehouse in Gebze and at $530-550/mt ex-warehouse in the Eregli region, SteelOrbis has learned. Prices are for advance payment for April deliveries.
In the import segment, discounts are still available. Bulgaria’s Stomana Industry S.A. is in the market with $550-560/mt CFR for S235JR grade and $590/mt CFR for S355JR grade for June production. Ukraine’s Metinvest is still not offering due to lack of demand, SteelOrbis has learned. In the shipbuilding plate segment, Macedonia-based Makstil’s price is at €550/mt ($595/mt) CFR for May deliveries.