The uptrend in the hot-rolled coil (HRC) segment, which continues steadily since end-February, remains the key driving force for the higher plate prices in the country. The plate demand, on the other side, is still subdued due to the lack of consuming projects.
As a result, the local and import plate offers in Turkey have skyrocketed over the week, following a 6.5 percent rise in the HRC offers. "Prices are strong for both flat steel and raw materials and steel plate producers are also increasing their prices accordingly. Traders also have to increase their levels because they have to renew their stocks with higher prices. Traders do not have low priced sources because importers have also higher prices now," a source told SteelOrbis.
Prices from the local producer Erdemir have been heard in the market at $995-1,010/mt ex-works for S235JR quality and at $1,025-1,040/mt ex-works for S355JR quality plates for August production, increasing by $80-85/mt over the past week.
In the import segment, Bulgaria’s Stomana Industry S.A offers for July production at $980-990/mt CFR for S235JR grade and at $1,020-1,040/mt CFR for S355JR grade, up $70/mt over the past week. Romania is in the market with $970-980/mt CFR for S235JR grade material for June rolling, up $40-45/mt over the past week. Metinvest is again absent from the market but its prices for July production offers are expected to be at $970-990/mt CFR, $150-160/mt higher than last month's offers.
In the shipbuilding plate segment, Macedonia-based Makstil is offering at €850/mt CFR for S235JR quality and at €880/mt CFR for S355JR quality, for July deliveries, increased by €70/mt, as SteelOrbis learned.
Prices have increased by $80/mt in the spot market since last week.
|
Product quality |
Seller |
Price ($/mt) |
|
|
Ereğli |
Gebze |
||
|
S235JR |
Regular traders |
970-1,000 |
980-1,010 |
|
S235JR |
Large traders |
- |
990-1,020 |
|
S355JR |
Large traders |
- |
1,020-1,040 |