Considering the ongoing slow and limited demand, as well as persistent liquidity pressures, Romanian flat steel spot traders have had little choice but to keep prices stable over the past week. Market players note that the current CBAM situation, which still contains many uncertainties, is creating additional pressure in the market. As a result, most sellers are closely monitoring market developments rather than adjusting offers. Despite this, import offers have remained relatively stable this week. However, with the full implementation of CBAM approaching, many expect import prices to rise further, which would eventually impact the Romanian domestic market as well. While most Romanian sellers are doubtful about how much of a potential price increase the market can realistically absorb, some traders have mentioned that trading activity has started to show a slight improvement due to expectations surrounding CBAM-related cost increases.
According to reports, spot market quotations for hot rolled sheet (HRS) remain unchanged week on week at €720-745/mt ex-warehouse, while cold rolled sheet (CRS) prices also continue to hold steady at €835-865/mt ex-warehouse.
Meanwhile, Romania’s sole flat steel producer, Liberty Galati, continues to remain silent, with no developments regarding a production restart or plant sale negotiations. Workers at Galati again held strikes this week, protesting delayed salary payments and demanding clarity about the company’s future.
In the import segment, Romanian buyers remain slow to engage in new purchases, as current stock levels are sufficient and domestic demand is slow. As a result, import offers have largely remained stable, though market participants expect prices to rise in the coming weeks. According to sources, a Ukrainian supplier has kept quotations unchanged, offering HRS at €640-650/mt CPT and CRS at €730-740/mt CPT. Similarly, a Slovakian supplier continues to offer HRS at €660-670/mt CPT, consistent with last week’s levels. In contrast, Turkish suppliers have applied a slight increase to their HRC offers, raising prices by €5/mt to €470-490/mt CFR for December-January shipments to Romania, including estimated freight costs of €15-20/mt. It is worth noting that these import prices are duty-free depending on the origin, although Turkish material remains subject to EU antidumping duties.
