Uncertainty continues in European HRC market

The European HRC market is still characterized by a lot of uncertainty. Although domestic producers and traders have resumed activities in the past few weeks as different countries have eased lockdown measures, they are still struggling with "orders that are about half of normal volumes," market sources said. This has led to further price decreases compared to April 30. In the Italian market, domestic transaction prices have decreased from €415-425/mt to €390-410/mt, ex-works. In northern Europe, HRC prices have gone from €440-445/mt to €410-420/mt, all ex-works. "Perspectives in Europe are very worrying in terms of orders," said Tommaso Sandrini, president of Assofermet Acciai, who underlined that the recover of the automotive sector will be very slow, and that other steel consuming industries are weak too. "At least we have resume working, but the future is very uncertain," he admitted. Speaking of prices, Mr. Sandrini thinks that the ongoing review of the EU safeguard measures and the possibility of an antidumping investigation on ex-Turkey HRC prices might prevent further price decreases in the coming weeks. Otherwise, prices could go down further. However, he confirmed what the Italian distributors' association said in a letter sent to the EU Commission last week, i.e., that "there are no bases for an investigation against Turkey". Meanwhile, concerning imports, the trade to the EU has interrupted due to the ongoing review and the uncertainty regarding the antidumping case against Turkey. As reported on May 11 by SteelOrbis, ex-Turkey offers have reached $390-405/mt FOB, increasing by $10/mt in the past week on the back of scrap price increases. However, market sources doubt the increase will be accepted in the EU market. While business with Turkey has been silent, Russia sold some considerable lots last week at at least $400/mt FOB (€390/mt CFR) to northern EU countries and at $360-370/mt FOB (€376-375/mt CFR) to southern EU destinations.