Romanian flat steel spot prices have continued to move within a stable range over the past week, as underlying demand, while not weak, remains insufficiently strong to support further price increases. Market activity has been sustained at moderate levels, though persistent liquidity constraints continue to shape trading behavior, with buyers securing sizeable discounts, particularly for cash payments and larger tonnages, thereby limiting any upward momentum. Meanwhile, focus remains on the sole domestic producer Liberty Galati, where preparations for a potential restart are ongoing, as the government has reinforced its involvement by granting expanded authority to the AAAS, the state body responsible for managing public receivables and distressed assets, to directly handle the company’s debts, a move aimed at accelerating the restructuring process and facilitating a return to operations, albeit with market participants maintaining a cautious stance regarding the sustainability of any recovery.
As a result, offer levels in the Romanian spot market have remained largely unchanged week on week, with HRS still indicated at €780-800/mt ex-warehouse and CRS at €880-900/mt ex-warehouse. However, achievable levels continue to be observed at comparatively lower ranges, with HRS reported at €720-740/mt and CRS at €820-840/mt ex-warehouse, particularly for larger volumes and cash-based purchases.
In the import market, activity has remained limited over the past week, with no confirmed bookings reported so far, though market participants expect some transactions to emerge in the coming weeks following recent industry events. Offer levels have generally remained stable week on week. Ukrainian suppliers have continued to indicate HRS and CRS at €760-770/mt CPT and €850-860/mt CPT, respectively. Similarly, Serbian-origin HRS has been reported at €800/mt CPT, while Slovakian material has been heard at around €820/mt CPT. Meanwhile, Turkish mills have slightly softened their HRC offers for May shipment by €5/mt to €545-565/mt CFR, based on freight levels of €20-25/mt. However, Turkish material remains subject to EU antidumping duties, while additional CBAM-related costs further weigh on its competitiveness in the Romanian market.
