Following the recent decline in local Romanian long steel spot prices, the market has seen some stabilization this week despite the continuation of slow and limited domestic demand. According to market sources, some traders are still offering discounts for serious buyers and for purchases of larger tonnages, in an effort to stimulate sales activity. Meanwhile, the sole domestic rebar producer has kept its official prices unchanged. However, market participants note that the availability of standard grades is limited, which has further reduced buyer interest. On the import side, no new deals have been reported this week. Although buyers in the Romanian market are still showing interest, most EU-based buyers are holding back from purchases due to concerns that the import quota for the final quarter of the year will be exhausted once the period begins.
Consequently, in the retail market, traders have maintained their offers stable at €570-580/mt ex-warehouse compared to the previous week. Likewise, the sole rebar producer has kept prices unchanged week on week at €585-590/mt ex-works.
In the wire rod segment, a similar price stability has been observed, although demand remains considerably lower than in the rebar market. Traders have kept their offers stable week on week at €565-575/mt ex-warehouse.
On the import side, while the majority of offers have remained stable, no new purchases have been reported, particularly from Turkey. When there is a need to restock with small or medium-sized lots, most Romanian buyers prefer nearby suppliers, especially those in Bulgaria. According to reports, Bulgarian suppliers have maintained their rebar offers unchanged at €580-590/mt CPT, while Moldovan suppliers have also kept their prices unchanged, at €590-600/mt CPT, both valid for October shipments. Meanwhile, non-EU suppliers from Egypt, having sold out their October shipments, are not currently offering but are expected to return with fresh offers for November deliveries. Turkish suppliers, on the other hand, have quoted prices similar to the previous week, ranging at €465-485/mt CFR, based on an exchange rate of €1 = $1.18 and estimated freight costs of €15-20/mt.