Romanian flat steel spot prices have shown little movement over the past week, with the market stabilizing after the recent upward adjustments driven by cost pressure and higher offers across Europe. Demand is described as balanced rather than strong, with trading continuing at a steady but unspectacular pace, while ongoing liquidity constraints keep buyers cautious and focused on securing the most workable terms. As a result, discounts remain a key element of transactions, especially for cash deals and larger volumes, preventing any meaningful shift in effective price levels.
Current indications place HRS offers in the Romanian spot market at €800-820/mt ex-warehouse, while CRS remains at €900-930/mt ex-warehouse. At the same time, workable levels continue to be reported at lower levels, with HRS at €745-765/mt ex-warehouse and CRS at €840-865/mt ex-warehouse, particularly in larger-volume deals and for prompt payment terms.
Meanwhile, developments around Liberty Galati remain largely quiet, with no fresh updates heard in the market. However, local sources indicate that efforts to bring the mill back into operation are still ongoing, with preparations continuing in the background. A second attempt to sell the company is expected in early June.
In the import segment, activity has remained limited, with no notable bookings reported over the past week, as Romanian buyers continue to show weak appetite amid sufficient stock levels and limited immediate needs, keeping purchases at minimal levels and mostly restricted to small-volume requirements. In this context, Ukrainian offers are heard at €760-770/mt CPT for HRS and €850-860/mt CPT for CRS, while Serbian-origin HRS remains stable at around €800/mt CPT. Meanwhile, Turkish mills have continued to increase their HRC offers to €565-580/mt CFR, up from €555-570/mt CFR previously, though their competitiveness remains constrained by EU antidumping measures as well as additional CBAM-related costs.
