Prices for hot-rolled coils in Europe in the domestic market rose on Monday, February 2, as buyers accepted higher prices amid limited import activity.
The introduction of the EU Border Carbon Dioxide Control Mechanism (CBAM) in January 2026 led to an overall slowdown in imports in the steel segment due to uncertainty about the cost of CBAM certificates.
The impact on the HRC market was obvious, as the volume of imports in 2025 amounted to 9.5 million tons, according to statistics from Global Trade Tracker.
As a result, demand for locally produced rolls has increased, allowing domestic producers to raise prices, although sales levels are still below mills' optimistic targets.
A noticeable strengthening was recorded in Italy, where factories increased their offers to 660-685 euros (779-808 dollars) per ton for shipment in April, depending on the supplier, with some sales rumored to be 645-655 euros per ton for shipment from the factory, compared with 630-635 euros per ton for shipment last week.
.Estimates of real prices ranged from 640 to 665 euros per ton from the factory.
Fastmarkets' daily price index for hot-rolled steel in the domestic market, exw in Italy, was 651.67 euros per ton on Monday, up 13.67 euros from 638 euros per ton on Friday, January 30.
The indicator increased by 14.17 euros per ton week-on-week and by 28.55 euros per ton month-on-month.
The latest offers from integrated plants in Northern Europe for delivery in April amounted to 670-685 euros per ton from the plant, with individual orders placed in the range of 650-660 euros per ton from the plant.
Fastmarkets' daily hot-rolled steel roll price index for sale in Northern Europe was 650.83 euros per tonne on February 2, up 0.83 euros per tonne from 650 euros per tonne on January 30.
The indicator increased by 4.58 euros per ton week-on-week and by 23.63 euros per ton on a monthly basis.
As for imports, it was reported that a small batch of HRC from India was ordered in Italy last week at a price of 600 euros per ton per day, including the cost of CBAM.
Turkish HRC was offered to Italy at a price of 630-640 euros per ton per day, including the cost of CBAM.
Author: Vlada Novokreschenova
Fastmarkets.com
