Demand for rebar in the local United Arab Emirates (UAE) spot market has improved slightly during the past week, though it is still at low levels. Demand is expected to increase further in the coming days. Meanwhile, UAE-based traders have kept their domestic rebar prices unchanged week on week at AED 1,650-1,700/mt ($450-463/mt) delivered to customer.
Additionally, Qatari steelmaker Qatar Steel announced its rebar offers for August production at the weekend, reducing them by QAR 350/mt ($96/mt) compared to its price levels announced on June 23 to QAR 1,750/mt ($481/mt) ex-works. It has been heard that a UAE-based buyer concluded an ex-Turkey deal last week for 35,000-40,000 mt of rebar at $380/mt CFR on theoretical weight basis, though so far the deal has not been confirmed by the buyer or seller.
Turkish exporters' new rebar offer prices following the $10/mt increase recorded last week have failed to gain acceptance from buyers in the UAE, especially given the reductions seen in the rebar prices of both Emirates Steel Industries (ESI) and Qatar Steel. With these major suppliers cutting their rebar quotations, UAE-based buyers are exerting downward pressure on Turkish rebar exporters' offers.
$1= QAR 3,64
$1 = AED 3,67