Prices for long products in Romania remained stable last week, while offers for rebar and wire rod remained virtually unchanged from previous levels.
However, market participants report that some suppliers have started testing slightly higher prices, mainly due to the uncertainty surrounding CBAM and expectations of increased import costs. Despite these growth attempts, overall purchasing activity remains weak as local demand continues to be challenged by a lack of liquidity, delayed projects, and cautious purchasing behavior. Traders note that without a significant improvement in domestic consumption, any price increase is unlikely to receive sustained momentum.
"Despite initial attempts to raise prices, I doubt that the market will accept these higher levels. With the onset of cold weather and the approach of the end of the year, demand continues to decline, and buyers are becoming more cautious. It is also worrying that some sellers are using the uncertainty associated with CBAM to justify price increases, as this measure brings little benefit to end consumers and may further scare off potential investors," said a SteelOrbis trader.
.Currently, prices for rebar in the domestic market remain unchanged. The only producer is still offering 550-555 euros per ton from the warehouse, and spot traders are maintaining prices at 550-565 euros per ton from the warehouse, as they did last week. Attempts by some traders to raise prices to 570-575 euros per ton from the warehouse did not arouse interest, as buyers still find discounted materials at a price of 535-545 euros per ton from the warehouse.
Wire rod prices also remain stable, and traders continue to offer 560-570 euros per ton from the warehouse amid weak demand.
Meanwhile, the import market has started to experience price increases, especially for EU suppliers, mainly due to the CBAM situation. However, since local demand remains weak and stocks are considered sufficient, most Romanian buyers purchase only medium-sized shipments in nearby countries according to their needs. According to market participants, the Bulgarian supplier has increased its offers for fittings to 580-600 euros per ton compared to 570-580 euros per ton previously. Among suppliers from non-EU countries, Egyptian plants kept their prices unchanged, continuing to offer rebar at 485-490 euros per ton CFR and wire rod at 490-495 euros per ton CFR. Similarly, Turkish suppliers have maintained stable prices over the past week, helped by higher scrap metal prices, offering 495-510 euros per ton CFR based on
