Steel plate prices in Turkey, whether local or import, have not changed over the past week, but increases are already on the way. Due to the current Covid-19 lockdown and Ramadan, buyers are seeking to understand the market conditions and trade is extremely low in the country. On the other hand, some importers are on holiday due to Orthodox Easter and they are not offering to Turkey currently. In the absence of some importers, other foreign sources are also in wait-and-see mode. But both local and import prices are expected to increase after the Easter and end-of-Ramadan holidays.
"Demand is even worse these days due to the lockdown and approaching holidays, but we believe prices will increase further. After China cancelled the tax rebates, hot rolled coil prices have started to increase rapidly in Turkey. These increases will soon be reflected in plate prices and importers are also targeting higher levels because of the strong plate demand in the EU, " a trader told SteelOrbis.
Prices from the local Turkish producer Erdemir have been heard in the market at $1,010-1,030/mt ex-works for S235JR quality and at $1,040-1,060/mt ex-works for S355JR quality plates for August production, unchanged over the past week.
In the import segment, Bulgaria’s Stomana Industry S.A is not offering at the moment but its latest prices were at $1,125-1,135/mt CFR for S235JR grade and at $1,165-1,185/mt CFR for S355JR grade, for August production. Romania is in the market with $1,090-1,100/mt CFR for S235JR grade material for June-July rolling, with its prices unchanged. Metinvest is also out of the market due to the Easter holiday and its latest prices were at $1,025-1,030/mt CFR for August production for limited production, as SteelOrbis has heard.
In the shipbuilding plate segment, Macedonia-based Makstil is offering at €890/mt CFR for S235JR quality and at €920/mt CFR for S355JR quality, for July deliveries, unchanged over the past week, as SteelOrbis learned.
Prices have been stable in the local Turkish spot market since last week.
Product quality |
Seller |
Price ($/mt) |
|
Ereğli |
Gebze |
||
S235JR |
Regular traders |
1,000-1,030 |
1,010-1,040 |
S235JR |
Large traders |
- |
1,020-1,050 |
S355JR |
Large traders |
- |
1,050-1,070 |