Domestic prices for hot-rolled steel in Europe continued to rise on Monday, March 9, as difficult import conditions reduce competitive pressure, while the growing cost burden continues to underpin the pricing strategy of enterprises.
In Northern Europe, according to reports, the most recent prices for HRC ranged from 690-710 euros ($800.83-$824) per ton from the factory, with "most of the reported figures being around 700-710 euros per ton from the factory."
It was then, at the end of last week, that sellers announced that they were receiving their first orders at a price of 700 euros per ton from the factory.
A source on the sellers' side said that despite the fact that the overall demand situation leaves much to be desired, there are more people willing to buy now than in previous weeks.
Meanwhile, a source from among the buyers said that problems with transportation and delays in delivery times further diverted buyers' interest from imported materials to supplies to the domestic market, which has already taken place after the introduction of a carbon control mechanism at the border and the impending changes in the protection system.
Fastmarkets' daily hot-rolled steel roll price index for domestic consumption in Northern Europe was 701.46 euros ($814.14) per tonne on Monday, up 1.14 euros from March 6, compared with 700.00 euros per tonne on March 6.
The indicator increased by 8.96 euros per ton week-on-week and by 48.13 euros per ton on a monthly basis.
A similar trend was observed in the Italian market, where the acceptable level gradually decreased from 680 euros per ton in stock to 680-700 euros per ton in stock.
"In Southern Europe, new deals are starting to set a base price of 700 euros per ton, as the impact of the conflict between the United States and Iran on transportation costs and logistics, as well as tougher protective measures from July 1, 2026, reduce interest in imports," said a source in the purchasing company.
Fastmarkets' daily hot-rolled steel roll price index in the domestic market, exw in Italy, calculated on Monday at 685 euros per tonne from the factory, rose by 4.17 euros per tonne compared with 680.00 euros per tonne on March 6.
The indicator also increased by 8.75 euros per ton week-on-week and by 40.00 euros per ton month-on-month.
Author: Vlada Novokreschenova
Fastmarkets.com
