The persistent efforts of Iranian exporters to increase steel billet prices have ultimately yielded results in the latest deals. Specifically, at the beginning of the current week a few cargoes of ex-Iran steel billet were reportedly sold at $544/mt FOB BIK. Although the price is in line with those levels which were actively discussed a week ago as the prices targeted by suppliers, while some traders remain quite skeptical on the outlook for future developments. Furthermore, given the uncertain information regarding sales to end-users, the positions of Iranian steel billet sellers have remained quite shaky. “It seems it is a trader's position for Asia, not an apparent sale,” a major international trader stated. SteelOrbis has heard of ex-Iran billet sale to Indonesia at $585/mt CFR, with the freight being estimated at around $38-40/mt, though it has yet to confirmed by the time of publication. “I am still wondering if the market indeed is going up so much. I am skipping this round of semis purchases. In Asia, I get offers for wire rods at $630/mt FOB,” an international trader commented. According to reliable sources, at least 50,000 mt of ex-Iran steel billet in total has been sold this week. Apart from that, a 20,000 mt cargo of ex-Iran billet has been booked at $575/mt CFR to the GCC region, up around $25-35/mt from the levels in the previous deals.