The European rolled steel market continued to stagnate amid low activity during the week to Wednesday, April 23, while prices remained generally unchanged, Fastmarkets sources said.
[b]Italy[/b]
For several weeks, domestic prices for commercial grade thick-sheet steel in Italy remained at the level of 630-650 euros (723-745 dollars) per ton from the plant, while transaction data was within this range.
Offers at a price of 660-670 euros per ton for May rolled products have not yet been implemented as part of spot sales, the sources said.
" The[for heavy plate]market is very quiet. In addition, there are only three business days in Italy this week[commencing April 21] [and]many people are on vacation, so trading is close to zero", - one of the buyers in Italy told Fastmarkets.
The demand for a range of heavy tableware is limited, and sources still report only single orders.
" Manufacturers of tableware are experiencing difficulties because the demand for it is simply insufficient. And shareholders and end consumers only buy the sizes and brands that are missing, so the prices of Italian[heavy plate]products remain unchanged", - said the second buyer.
