Romanian flat steel spot prices have continued to move sideways, though with discounts being offered to serious buyers in an effort to support transaction volumes. However, despite these incentives, demand remains limited, largely due to liquidity constraints among buyers. Many end-users and distributors are under financial pressure, which restricts their purchasing capacity, resulting in cautious market activity.
As a result, spot market offers for hot rolled sheet (HRS) remain unchanged at €710-735/mt ex-warehouse, while cold rolled sheet (CRS) continues to be quoted at €830-845/mt ex-warehouse, both in line with levels seen in the previous week.
Meanwhile, the country’s sole flats producer, Liberty Galati, is facing mounting operational and financial difficulties. This week, the plant witnessed a spontaneous protest by employees demanding overdue wages and better communication from management. Workers voiced serious concerns about the long-term viability of the facility amid escalating uncertainty over its financial position.
The company is currently operating under a court-approved 30-day extension to restructure its debts, underlining the fragile state of its operations. According to local media, Liberty Galati director Cornel Moisescu addressed workers during the protest, stating that the plant’s future lies in the hands of the government. He noted that the state, as the largest creditor through EximBank and ANAF (National Agency for Fiscal Administration), holds decisive influence over any potential recovery of the facilities. Moisescu also admitted that, at present, the company has "no resources for anything", reflecting the depth of its financial difficulties.
In the import segment this week, limited activity has been observed from Romanian buyers, largely due to the ongoing uncertainty in the market. However, sources suggest that some buying interest may emerge around mid-October. Despite the subdued demand, import offers have remained relatively stable.
According to market reports, offers from Ukrainian suppliers are stable at €590-600/mt CPT for hot rolled sheet (HRS) and €680-690/mt CPT for cold rolled sheet (CRS), for end-of-October shipments. Similarly, hot rolled coil (HRC) offers from Turkish suppliers have also remained stable week on week, with current CFR offers for November shipments to Romania assessed at €465-485/mt, including freight costs of approximately €15-20/mt. However, importers should be aware that these prices are duty-free and depend on the source, while Turkish materials are subject to antidumping duties in the EU.
