Last week, export offers given from southern Europe were mainly at the level of €370/mt FOB. Also, in some regions offers continued to be given at the levels heard in the previous weeks, i.e. at €380/mt FOB. Throughout southern Europe, demand has continued to constitute a problem, while mills have still been focusing their attention on Algeria and on the Mediterranean market for exports. However, demand is seen not to have reached the anticipated and desired levels in terms of exports.
Meanwhile, the price increases which started a couple of weeks ago in the eastern European market are expected to continue at gradual rate.
The current months are generally the most buoyant season for the markets. However, due to the influence of the global financial crisis, the iron and steel markets as a whole are now going through a difficult period which contrasts sharply with what would normally be expected for the time of the year . In this current period, production outputs have been cut, various offers are heard depending on tonnage and customer regardless of the list prices, and sometimes demand also accompanies the rises seen in price levels.