The Romanian flat steel spot market has remained largely inactive, with trading activity effectively on hold as the extended vacation period continues to weigh on market participation. According to market sources, most buyers and sellers have yet to resume regular operations, resulting in an absence of inquiries, negotiations and concluded transactions. This prolonged, holiday-driven pause has left price formation without clear reference points, keeping the market effectively frozen. Market participants expect activity to resume only once players fully return and reassess their purchasing requirements following the vacation period.
As a result, spot flat steel prices in Romania have remained unchanged from pre-Christmas levels, with hot rolled sheet (HRS) still quoted at €710-735/mt ex-warehouse and cold rolled sheet (CRS) at €825-845/mt ex-warehouse.
In the import market, activity has also remained quiet, as Romanian buyers are expected to show interest only from next week onward. This has led to limited changes in offer levels and a lack of fresh quotations from EU suppliers. Prior to the Christmas holidays, EU-origin offers were kept stable. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian mill has continued to offer HRS at €660-670/mt CPT and CRS at €750-760/mt CPT, while a Slovak supplier has maintained HRS offers at €670-680/mt CPT, with new offers expected to emerge next week. Similarly, Turkish mills have kept their offers unchanged, with HRC prices for March shipment remaining at €475-490/mt CFR, based on estimated freight costs of €15-20/mt. These levels are duty-free depending on the origin, although Turkish material remains subject to EU antidumping duties.