Turkish steel plate prices stable, outlook gloomy

Demand has remained sluggish over the past two weeks in the Turkish steel plate market and prices have remained unchanged. Due to the holiday, the trading activities have come to a halt and the market is still somewhat relaxed. In addition, there has been no vivid recovery in demand due to the lack of projects.

"We do not expect any recovery in the upcoming period because August is a traditionally holiday month. For September, we also do not have great expectations because the projects are limited. But we might see better prices of course, if only HRC prices will increase," a trader told SteelOrbis.

Prices from the local Turkish producer Erdemir have been heard in the market at $1,070-1,090/mt ex-works for S235JR quality and at $1,120-1,170/mt ex-works for S355JR quality plates for October production, unchanged over the past two weeks.

In the import segment, Bulgaria’s Stomana Industry S.A is in the market for October shipments. Its prices are at $1,200-1220/mt CFR for S235JR and $1,230-1,240/mt for S355JR quality plates, unchanged in the last two weeks. Romania is still not in the market, but the company is expected to offer for September shipments and price idea is $1,200/mt CFR Turkey. The latest ex-Romania price was at $1,295/mt CFR for August production for S235JR quality. Ukraine’s Metinvest is not in the market for now, but most probably the supplier will offer next week for October deliveries, according to the market sources. Its latest price level was at $1,120-1,130/mt CFR for S235JR quality, for September deliveries.

In the shipbuilding plate segment, Macedonia-based Makstil is offering at €1,030/mt CFR for S235JR quality and at €1,060/mt CFR for S355JR quality, for September deliveries, unchanged since last two weeks, as SteelOrbis has learned.

Local retail prices have not changed in the same period in Turkey.