Despite slower trade, flat steel prices in the Romanian spot market have remained stable over the past week. Since this month marks the start of the Christmas holidays, the majority of market participants do not want to cut offer prices as the market will not be responsive to reduced pricing. Meanwhile, it is reported that the sole Romanian flat steel producer, who has begun selling to gauge the market response, is unlikely to start producing any time soon due to financial difficulties.
According to reports, while the sole flat steel producer’s offers for HRC remain under €600/mt CPT, Romanian flat steel spot traders have continued to give stable offers week on week for hot rolled sheets (HRS) and cold rolled sheets (CRS) at €715-735/mt ex-warehouse and €820-835/mt ex-warehouse, respectively.
On the other hand, in the import segment, most Romanian traders remain less interested in replenishing their stocks as local demand is slow and current stocks are sufficient. In the meantime, Ukraine, one of Romanian traders' preferred stocking options, has maintained its offers to Romania for HRS and CRS stable week on week at €650-660/mt DAP and €740-750/mt DAP, respectively. In contrast, HRC offers from Turkey have been decreasing week after week, with FOB prices ranging at $550-570/mt and freight at around €25/mt, resulting in a price to Romania of approximately €545-565/mt CFR.
