The Romanian flat steel market has recorded a significant downward correction this week, as limited demand conditions and abundant material availability have pushed prices down significantly compared to the previous week. Market participants report that trading activity has slowed considerably, with most buyers remaining on the sidelines and limiting purchases to only urgent requirements. At the same time, increasing pressure from softening prices across the wider European market has further weakened sentiment in Romania, making it difficult for suppliers and traders to preserve previously targeted price levels. Under these conditions, negotiations have become increasingly aggressive, particularly for larger tonnages and prompt-payment deals, as sellers compete for limited order volumes in an increasingly soft market environment.
In the local spot market, HRS offers have declined sharply to €780-790/mt ex-warehouse, compared to €800-820/mt ex-warehouse heard last week, while CRS prices have also fallen, to €850-880/mt ex-warehouse from the previous €900-930/mt ex-warehouse range. However, given the still-limited demand and elevated stock levels in the market, discounts continue to be available, particularly for larger tonnages and serious buyers, depending on payment conditions.
Meanwhile, Liberty Galati has remained in focus ahead of the company’s expected new sale attempt scheduled for June 17. However, additional uncertainty emerged this week after local media reports indicated that a Czech court had introduced certain restrictions linked to disputes surrounding debts allegedly owed by Liberty Galati to Liberty Ostrava. The case is reportedly connected to legal actions initiated following Liberty Ostrava’s insolvency proceedings and concerns regarding unpaid receivables between the group entities. Nevertheless, Liberty Galati representatives stated that the latest legal developments are not expected to affect the company’s ongoing restructuring efforts or the planned sale process.
On the import side, trading activity has remained rather limited, as Romanian buyers continue to show caution amid weak end-user demand and already sufficient stock availability in the market. As a result, most market participants are still avoiding large-volume commitments and focusing mainly on occasional purchases for immediate needs. Ukrainian suppliers have meanwhile maintained relatively stable offer levels, with HRS still reported at €760-770/mt CPT and CRS at €850-860/mt CPT. By contrast, Serbian suppliers are currently heard to be largely absent from the market, though some sources expect new offers to emerge again in the coming weeks. Turkish mills have, meanwhile, increased their HRC offers by around €5/mt over the past week to €560-575/mt CFR, though antidumping duties and CBAM-related costs continue to limit the competitiveness of Turkish material in Romania.
