Southern European producers keep seeking higher coils prices amid rising import prices.
Coils offer prices from the Spanish supplier increased by EUR 15/t over two weeks, coming to EUR 440/t DDP for HRC, EUR 530/t DDP for CRC and EUR 540/t DDP for HDG, base, February shipment. The producer sees some improvement in demand over the few last weeks, which contributed to the price increase. Constantly growing import prices and reduced availability of the European material in the market added to the picture. “Many production capacities are already shut down and this will reduce supply in H1 2020,” the producer told Metal expert.
Italian producers also increased HRC offer prices by EUR 20-25/t to EUR 440-450/t EXW over the week. However, the new levels have yet to be achieved in deals as the buying activity is still weak. “Market is very depressed. every day it is getting harder to sell,” a local producer told Metal expert.
Meantime, HRC offer prices from Turkey to Southern Europe went up by
EUR 15-20/t to EUR 455-465/t CFR, February shipment. HRC from India with the same delivery terms is offered in the region at EUR 440-455/t CFR. Import prices are too high to be accepted by the market, sources say.