This week, Romanian flat spot traders have chosen to maintain prices stable, while the sole Romanian flat steel producer has remained silent due to continuing and unresolved internal difficulties. Market participants believe that the somewhat improved demand and stability in the currency situation compared to the previous week are the main factors which contributed to the stability of prices. Moreover, after the elections, some market players feel that, with the new political changes, economic conditions in Romania will not be easy, and taxes are projected to rise, potentially affecting demand in the coming months.
Over the past week, the local flat steel spot market has remained stable, with traders quoting hot rolled sheet and cold rolled sheet prices at €715-735/mt ex-warehouse and €820-840/mt ex-warehouse, respectively, while the sole local flat steel producer has neither issued offers or revealed a new production plan.
Furthermore, in the import segment, HRC offers from Turkey have decreased slightly this week, with FOB prices at approximately $540-560/mt and freight costs at around €25/mt, resulting in a price to Romania at around €500-520/mt CFR, down from €505-530/mt CFR in previous weeks. Meanwhile, Ukraine has continued to offer the same levels week on week for HRS and CRS sheets at €640/mt DAP and €730/mt DAP, respectively.