Steel plate prices stable in Turkey, demand still sluggish

Demand has remained sluggish in the Turkish steel plate market since last week and prices have not changed. "We have failed to reflect the increases in hot rolled prices in our offers because of low demand and high stocks in the spot market. Also, buyers continue to create pressure on prices but, due to strong HRC and scrap prices, discounts are not possible at the moment," a trader told SteelOrbis.

Local producer Erdemir's plate prices are at $580-590/mt ex-works for S235JR quality and $610-620/mt ex-works for S355 JR quality plates, for November-December production.

Import prices have also not changed since last week. In the import market, Bulgaria’s Stomana Industry S.A. is offering at $530-540/mt CFR for S235JR grade and at $590/mt CFR for S355JR grade for November production. Offers from Romania are now standing at $520/mt CFR for S235JR quality and at $545/mt CFR for S355JR quality plates for November deliveries. Offers from Italy are at €520/mt CFR for S235JR quality, while offers from South Korea are standing at $540/mt CFR for S235JR quality and at $600/mt for S355JR, both for November deliveries, as SteelOrbis has learned.

In the shipbuilding plate segment, prices have not been changed. Macedonia-based Makstil’s price is at €500/mt CFR for S235JR quality and at €530/mt CFR for S355JR quality, for November deliveries, SteelOrbis has  learned.

Retail plate prices in Turkey, $/mt