The Turkish domestic market is experiencing a stagnant period in contrast to the export market. Producer prices for 8-12 mm
rebar were in a range of TRY 920-955/mt this week. It was possible to find prices at TRY 905/mt from traders. The Turkish
rebar market was expected to be strong at the beginning of the week. However, the expected rise failed to materialize due to the slackening in the US Dollar exchange rate. Although export prices and import
scrap prices increased, the fact that the contractors did not conclude their expected purchases also contributed to the lack of the expected market increase. The export market was relatively active this week. At the beginning of the week,
rebar offers for export from the Turkish mills were at $560-570/mt FOB Turkish ports on actual weight basis for late April / early May shipments to destinations other than the US and Gulf markets. However, Turkish producers have concluded sales at $575-580/mt FOB to
Europe, supported by the revival in the European domestic market and the increase in the Euro/US Dollar exchange rate. Producers are getting positive returns from southern
Europe as well as from eastern
Europe. It is even reported that the Baltic region has made demands for Turkish rebars. Furthermore, Turkish mills may conclude significant sales to eastern and northern
Europe with the accession of
Russia to the market for summer purchases in March. This week, the price level of imported
rebar in the
UAE market was at around AED 2,300/mt ($626/mt) delivered to site on a theoretical weight basis for 3- and 5-month deferred payment, excluding VAT.
Trading firms are trying to increase domestic prices to AED 2,400/mt ($654/mt) due to the continuous rise in import offers. However, it has been heard that
construction firms are resisting these increases. Turkish mills increased their offers for the
UAE market to $590-600/mt CFR on a theoretical weight basis. The fact that Turkish mills concluded sales to the US at $595/mt CFR on a theoretical weight basis at the beginning of the week gave confidence to the Turkish mills. Chinese
rebar offers for the
UAE were at $505-535/mt CFR, depending on producers and sizes. Base prices were at around Euro 280-290/mt in
Italy this week. Prices for delivery to customers' premises were at Euro 490-495/mt in the north of the country. The Italian domestic market seems strong at the present time. The higher domestic prices and the slight rise in the Euro/US Dollar exchange rate appear to support the imports. However, the offers to Algeria at Euro 490/mt FOB seem to make competition with the Ukrainians difficult for the Italians in this market. Prices remained unchanged in
Spain this week. The base price level of AENOR-certificated
rebar was at Euro 335-340/mt. Prices for delivery to customers' premises were at Euro 515-520/mt for 12 mm
rebar. However, producers have told local stockists that they intend to raise their prices. The increase experienced in
scrap and
billet prices as well as the higher Turkish and Italian offers may help the local Spanish producers to achieve their price increase. Prices are continuing to increase in the Mediterranean and
Middle East. Most of the market players expect prices to continue to increase for another while. This is because the US has not returned to the market in the proper sense, and also because
Russia has not yet commenced serious purchases, which may cause a sharp deterioration in the price balance between northern and eastern
Europe. In addition, although weather conditions worldwide are mild, the general view is that
construction activities have not yet been resumed and that
consumption is likely to increase further in the spring. The increase in
scrap prices, the lack of supplies and the keen price increases in
billet are all providing support for the
rebar price increases. Some players consider that the sharp increase in prices is not entirely due to demand, but that part of the increase has been due to speculation. These players expect inventories to swell as a result of the continuous bookings, and also predict that the market may face a surprise as regards summer shipments.