Turkey’s demand for commercial grades of steel plate has declined recently and most domestic suppliers currently see no point in dropping prices since the discounts would not be likely to trigger additional sales. However, the trade for shipbuilding plate grades has been livelier lately.
Import offers from Romania and Bulgaria have officially remained stable at $770/mt and $780/mt CFR, respectively, both for September shipment. However, some customers report $730-750/mt CFR is available from one of the suppliers for shipbuilding grade. In the meantime, ex-Makstil shipbuilding plate prices are now at $725-730/mt CFR for September shipment, SteeOrbis has learned.
From Asia, Chinese grade A offers are unchanged at $650/mt CFR for October deliveries, despite a significant slump in HRC prices of the same origin. South Korea has remained at $670-680/mt CFR for certain grades, while some customers have reported $700/mt CFR, most probably for limited volumes. “There is a lack of demand in Turkey. If you bring them a firm inquiry, I am sure they would decrease more,” a trader told SteelOrbis.
In the domestic market, according to sources, Erdemir’s local plate prices for September deliveries are now at $670-690/mt ex-works depending on the grade and the order size, down $10/mt on the lower end over the past fortnight. In the retail market, the reported prices for St37 plate are mainly at $750/mt while prices for St52 are at $780/mt, both on ex-warehouse basis.
