The Romanian flat steel spot market has entered the second half of June without a clear price direction, as weak downstream demand and the approaching summer holiday period continue to keep trading volumes low. Buyers are largely avoiding stock-building and are placing orders only when needed, while expectations for July and August remain cautious due to the limited outlook for business activity. On the sellers' side, official prices have been mostly maintained unchanged, although prices remain negotiable, with discounts still available depending on tonnage, payment terms and the buyer's position. Under these conditions, spot prices have remained unchanged week on week, with the market lacking the momentum needed to support either a recovery or a sharper downward correction.
Against this background, hot rolled sheet prices in the domestic spot market have remained stable at €780-790/mt ex-warehouse, while cold rolled sheet prices continue to be heard at €880-900/mt ex-warehouse.
Meanwhile, developments surrounding Liberty Galati have remained one of the main focal points in the Romanian flat steel market this week, particularly as the producer's second asset sale procedure, scheduled for June 19, reportedly failed to attract any binding bids. According to local media reports, several investors had remained in the process, including Romania's UMB Group, Ukraine-based Metinvest, India's Jindal Steel International and JSW Steel, as well as Greece's Sidenor. However, despite the reduction in the starting price to around €444 million from €709 million in the previous tender, no final offer was submitted. Following the unsuccessful auction, market participants believe that uncertainty over Liberty Galati's future will continue to weigh on market sentiment, while the next steps are now expected to depend on the restructuring process, creditors and the Romanian authorities.
On the import side, activity has remained limited during the past week, with no major transactions reported and most offer levels broadly stable. According to sources, the Ukrainian supplier has maintained its offers unchanged, with HRS still reported at €760-770/mt CPT Romania and CRS at €850-860/mt CPT Romania. Meanwhile, Serbian origin HRS has continued to be heard at around €885/mt CPT Romania, unchanged from last week. Turkish suppliers have slightly reduced their HRC offers to €550-575/mt CFR Romania, compared to €555-580/mt CFR heard last week. Nevertheless, buying interest in import material has remained limited, with safeguard quota restrictions and CBAM-related costs continuing to affect purchasing decisions.
