Domestic prices for steel rebar and wire rod in Poland remained generally stable during the week to Friday, April 10, with factories offering higher prices despite a decrease in trading activity after the Easter holidays, Fastmarkets reported.
During the week, market sources pointed to a slowdown in demand for long products, as well as for processed products such as reinforcing mesh, while the market regained growth after a break.
Market participants were taking a wait-and-see attitude, observing current geological events, including the latest developments in the conflict in the Middle East.
According to one source, Polish steel mills "will never stop insisting on higher supply prices due to the sharp rise in energy prices, which affect production costs even before the outbreak of the war between the United States and Iran, as well as higher scrap metal costs.
"I don't see any possibility of lowering prices," the source said, adding that steel mills should consider the impact of rising costs on their businesses.
Fastmarkets' weekly price estimate for steel rebar, domestic, cpt Poland, on Friday was 2700-2750 zlotys ($746-760) per ton, down from 2700-2780 zlotys per ton in the previous week.
According to rumors, the plants focused on the price of fittings in the range of 2720-2800 zlotys per ton of CPT. But market sources reported that prices of 2,800 zlotys per ton are still unattainable on the market.
On Friday, estimates of real prices in the range of 2700-2750 zlotys per ton of CPT were published.
Meanwhile, it became known that Ukraine is offering Poland rebar at a price of 645 euros (756 dollars) per ton for delivery in April and May.
Fastmarkets' weekly price estimate for domestic steel rod (drawing quality) supplied from Poland on Friday was 2,800-3,000 zlotys per ton, unchanged week to week.
Across Europe, domestic rebar and wire rod markets remained calm after the Easter holidays, with regional sources pointing to lower demand, especially from the construction sector.
European manufacturers continue to insist on higher prices amid rising production costs and a sharp decline in import activity, Fastmarkets reported.
Fastmarkets' weekly estimate of prices for steel rebar for domestic consumption (exw, Italy) was 670-700 euros per ton on April 8, down from 670-710 euros per ton in the previous week.
The corresponding weekly price estimate for rebar steel rods, domestic, supplied to Northern Europe, on the same day was 655-665 euros per ton, unchanged week to week.
Author: David Montagnier
