The Romanian retail long market has once again been under pressure from a lack of demand and rising costs while, despite these negative sentiments, long steel prices have remained stable. Meanwhile, import offers are still active, and suppliers have different pricing strategies, with several Romanian retailers choosing to provide discounts to serious buyers. Among the goals of these reductions is to attract consumers' attention, increase sales, and revitalize import activity.
In Romania, the current domestic retail rebar price ranges at €710-715/mt ex-warehouse, which is the same as last week. According to sources, some traders are attempting to sell at €690/mt ex-warehouse in order to encourage purchases.
The pricing range for wire rods has remained at €715-720/mt ex-warehouse, unchanged from the previous week. Similar to the rebar segment, several wire rod retailers are trying to increase their sales by supplying wire rods at €700/mt ex-warehouse.
“Import offers are coming, of course, but our local demand is insufficient for us to replenish our supplies, and so it is more reasonable and economical to make few purchases for as long as necessary,” a retailer said to SteelOrbis.
This week, there were a few import offers from Europe, with offers from Greece for rebar and wire rod at €675-680/mt CFR and €695-700/mt CFR, respectively. Italy was offering wire rod at €680/mt delivered to Romania, down from €730/mt last week, while rebar offers remained the same at €680-710/mt delivered, unchanged week on week.
Furthermore, Egypt is providing rebar at the same price as last week at €645-650/mt CFR for March shipments, while one Algerian supplier has upped rebar offer prices by €20/mt to €640-650/mt CFR, but has maintained wire rod prices at €670-680/mt CFR. Nevertheless, buyers should be cautious, because Algeria requires rebar certification for trade with Romania, though wire rod trade is possible if the price and lead times are acceptable.