Despite Arcelor Mittal's price increases which have affected the overall flats market, Romanian flat steel traders have decided to reduce both hot rolled sheet (HRS) and cold rolled sheet (CRS) offer prices. Market players report that local demand is neither exceptionally strong nor low, but, if the positive atmosphere in the EU market can be sustained, Romanian spot prices may increase in the coming weeks.
Over the past week, in the spot market, traders have quoted HRS prices at €710-720/mt ex-warehouse, down from €730-750/mt ex-warehouse, and CRS prices at €810-830/mt ex-warehouse, down from €840-860/mt ex-warehouse, both week on week.
Meanwhile, sources claim that the sole flat steel producer has also decreased its prices for hot rolled coils (HRC) and cold rolled coils (CRC), by €15-20/mt week on week to €600/mt ex-works and €700/mt ex-works, respectively.
Furthermore, in the import segment, HRC offers from Turkey have continued to increase this week, with FOB prices at approximately $580-590/mt and freight costs at around €25/mt, resulting in a price to Romania at around €550-555/mt CFR, up from €540-555/mt CFR in previous weeks. Also, Ukraine has offered HRS and CRS sheets at €650-660/mt DAP and €740-750/mt DAP, respectively.
