The steel plate market in Turkey has remained quite positive in terms of sales and suppliers’ price levels amid decent demand. In addition, the allocation available in the import segment remains limited, since some of the European mills are either not offering or prefer concentrating on improved domestic sales. In addition, the number of offers from Asia has declined due to the absence of China. Moreover, Chinese suppliers are expected to return to the market with price increases, which may support the situation in the Turkish plate market as well.
Currently, Bulgaria’s Stomana is in the market to sell for April shipments at $1,040/mt CFR, up $40/mt over the past week. Some sources report $1,020/mt CFR levels are also available for large orders. Romania’s Liberty Galati is currently out of the market due to maintenance, SteelOrbis has learned. Overall, demand in the market is better as well as prices have improved in European plate market, urging not only local, but some of the Asian suppliers are targeting sales to this destination. In Turkey, South Korea is at $875/mt CFR base and $950-1,000/mt CFR for St52 grade, which is more or less in line with last week’s levels.
In the domestic market in Turkey, local producer Erdemir has maintained its offers at $1,000/mt ex-works and above for April production.