Rebar prices have decreased further in Italy in the past ten days, due to slow demand and lower scrap prices. According to sources, prices are now in the €710-730/mt range, compared to the €730-750/mt range that was recorded on September 10, all ex-works.
"Around a month ago, it was hard to obtain material [from mills], while now the situation has changed dramatically. There's no demand," said a trader. Meanwhile, export activities are slow, especially for sales via ship. "There's some demand in Algeria, but Italian producers can't compete with local producer Tosyali. They would have to offer rebar at around €615/mt CIF, which is inconceivable," a source commented.
In this situation, there are reports of Italian rebar producers planning to temporarily stop production at the end of September.