In the local Turkish steel plate market, domestic prices have not changed since last week and demand has remained low. Most producers both domestic and of import products are not offering at the moment. Some are still on holiday and others are watching market developments, mainly in terms of scrap and HRC prices. But after the latest increases in scrap prices as of yesterday, January 6, prices for steel plates will most likely increase soon, while higher HRC price levels have also already started to be heard in the local Turkish market. "We do not expect extreme increases in steel plate prices because demand is not expected to increase significantly. But of course plate prices will follow hot rolled coil and scrap prices," a trader told SteelOrbis.
Local Turkish producer Erdemir is collecting orders for April production since yesterday and its prices have been heard at $790-810/mt ex-works for S235JR quality and at $830-860/mt ex-works for S355 JR quality plates, for April production, but market sources state that these levels are possible only for today and then prices are expected to increase.
Import prices have not been heard this week and importers will be back in the market most probably next week. The latest levels for Bulgaria’s Stomana Industry S.A were at $770-780/mt CFR for S235JR grade and at $820-830/mt CFR for S355JR grade, for March production.
In the shipbuilding plate segment, Macedonia-based Makstil is also not offering at the moment and new offers are expected to be announced soon. The last offers from Makstil were at €610/mt CFR for S235JR quality and at €640/mt CFR for S355JR quality, for January-February deliveries, SteelOrbis has learned.
Prices have not changed since last week in the local spot market.
Product quality |
Seller |
Price ($/mt) |
|
Ereğli |
Gebze |
||
S235JR |
Regular traders |
800-830 |
810-840 |
S235JR |
Large traders |
- |
820-850 |
S355JR |
Large traders |
- |
850-870 |