Turkish plate prices increase with support from higher HRC prices

Despite low demand, retail prices have increased in the Turkish steel plate market by $5-10/mt in the past two weeks because of higher scrap and hot rolled coil prices in the country. "Prices have increased due to higher scrap and HRC prices, but still we do not have demand and support for our new prices. I think small discounts are available for real buyers but, because of higher raw material costs, big discounts are not possible in the market," a trader told SteelOrbis.

Local producer Erdemir's plate price has increased in the same period by $10-20/mt to $580-590/mt ex-works for S235JR quality and to $610-620/mt ex-works for S355 JR quality plates, for November-December production.

Import prices have also increased in the past two weeks. In the import market, Bulgaria’s Stomana Industry S.A. is offering $530-540/mt CFR for S235JR grade, up $5/mt, and $590/mt CFR for S355JR grade, up $10-20/mt, for November production. Offers from Romania are now standing at $520/mt CFR for S235JR quality, up $10/mt, and at $545/mt CFR for S355JR quality plates, rising by $15/mt, for October-November deliveries. Offers from Italy are at €520/mt CFR for S235JR quality, up 10/mt, while offers from South Korea are standing at $540/mt CFR for S235JR quality, increasing by $10-15/mt, and at $600/mt for S355JR, both for November deliveries, as SteelOrbis has learned. Also, Metinvest's offers for steel plates have been heard in the market at $520-525/mt CFR Turkey, increasing by $5-10/mt, for November shipments.

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

Retail plate prices in Turkey, $/mt