The Romanian flat steel spot market has stayed in a slow trading pattern this week, with prices unchanged but buying activity still thin. Weak consumption, liquidity problems and the approaching summer holiday period continue to keep buyers cautious, while sufficient stock levels have reduced the need for fresh bookings. Most buyers are therefore limiting purchases to immediate requirements. Market participants say July and August are unlikely to bring a clear improvement, as business activity is expected to slow further during the holiday season. Accordingly, spot prices have remained stable week on week, but the market is not considered to be firm, with discounts of around 5-7 percent still achievable depending on tonnage, payment terms and the buyers’ positions.
In the domestic spot market, hot rolled sheet prices are still heard at around €780-790/mt ex-warehouse, while cold rolled sheet prices remain at €880-900/mt ex-warehouse. Although headline offer levels have not changed, the market tone remains soft, with sellers still flexible in negotiations in order to conclude sales in a slow trading environment.
On the producer’s side, although Liberty Galati’s second asset sale procedure failed last week, raising doubts about investor appetite, a new development has been reported this week. According to local media reports, a firm offer has now been submitted by an investor for the plant’s assets. A second offer may also be presented next week, while another potential investor is expected to visit the plant. However, the process has not been finalized yet, as the next step will depend on the Romanian state, which remains the main creditor. As a result, the latest development has brought some investor interest back into focus, although uncertainty over the producer’s future continues.
The import segment has also remained quiet, with no significant bookings reported during the past week. Romanian buyers are showing limited interest in imported material for now, as sufficient inventories, weak end-user demand and cautious expectations for the summer period continue to restrict purchasing appetite. Ukrainian offers have remained broadly stable, with HRS still heard at around €760-770/mt CPT Romania and CRS at €850-860/mt CPT Romania, while Serbian-origin HRS is unchanged at around €885/mt CPT Romania. Turkish HRC offers have also remained stable at around €550-575/mt CFR Romania. Although Turkish prices still appear much more competitive compared to other origins, buying interest remains limited, as quota-related restrictions and CBAM-related costs continue to weigh on decisions for Turkish material.
