Flat steel spot prices in Romania have remained stable over the past week, though market activity has continued to be slow, with overall sales volumes remaining limited. Despite this, traders have largely maintained relatively high offer levels, supported by increasing costs and the ongoing upward trend observed in both European and import markets. However, these higher price levels have struggled to gain acceptance in the domestic market, where demand remains weak and purchasing power is constrained. Ongoing liquidity constraints have further weighed on buying activity, forcing traders to grant significant discounts, with actual workable prices settling at noticeably lower levels.
“Demand is there, but it’s very slow. Without discounts, it’s almost impossible to close deals,” a trader told SteelOrbis.
As a result, hot rolled sheet (HRS) offers in the Romanian spot market are currently hovering at €780-800/mt ex-warehouse, while cold rolled sheet (CRS) prices are indicated at €880-900/mt ex-warehouse, with levels largely unchanged over the past week. However, following discounts, workable prices are reported at €720-740/mt for HRS and €820-840/mt for CRS.
As for the sole producer, while no new developments have been heard regarding the potential sale of Liberty Galati and the outlook remains uncertain, the Romanian authorities have introduced support measures, including waiving penalties on unpaid local taxes and facilitating salary payments. However, as the mechanism is not expected to provide immediate cash flow, delays in wage disbursements are still anticipated, pointing to ongoing financial strains at the plant.
Meanwhile, the import segment has remained largely quiet, as Romanian buyers continue to show limited interest amid weak domestic demand, despite the upward trend in offers over the past week. According to sources, Ukrainian material has increased, with HRS and CRS offers at €750-760/mt CPT and €840-850/mt CPT, up from €710-720/mt CPT and €800-810/mt CPT previously, respectively. Similarly, Serbian-origin HRS offers have risen by €10/mt to €730-740/mt CPT, while Slovakian material is heard at around €770/mt CPT, stable week on week. Turkish mills, on the other hand, have increased their HRC offers for May shipment to €550-565/mt CFR, compared to €535-555/mt previously, calculated on the basis of €20-25/mt freight. However, Turkish material remains subject to EU antidumping duties, while additional CBAM-related costs also need to be taken into account, further limiting its competitiveness in the Romanian market.
