The domestic hot-rolled rolled steel (HRC) market in Europe remained calm on Friday, April 24, with no new trades heard during the day. Both buyers and sellers expected more clarity on the new EU trade regime, and especially on country-specific import quotas, which will come into force on July 1, 2026.
The availability of materials scheduled for delivery in June was limited, and two German manufacturers were reportedly not operating in the spot market due to the large number of outstanding orders. Meanwhile, a supplier in the Benelux region was expected to resume production next week after a maintenance break.
Estimates of real prices in the range of 700-720 euros (819-842 dollars) per ton from the factory were announced, which was reflected in the Fastmarkets daily index for hot-rolled steel, domestic, exw in Northern Europe, which on Friday was estimated at 710.00 euros per ton.
The indicator increased by 1.67 euros per ton week-on-week, but decreased by 6.00 euros per ton month-on-month.
The market leader has not yet announced its proposals for July - supply volumes, and other plants in the region have also not submitted any firm proposals.
The Italian market was also very quiet during the week. Market sources in the country estimated achievable prices for HRC at about 700 euros per ton from the factory, and local sellers maintained their offers at or above this price.
Thus, on April 24, the daily price index for Fastmarkets hot-rolled steel, domestic, with delivery to Italy, was calculated at 700.00 euros per ton from the factory, which is stable from day to day.
The indicator was also stable compared to the previous week, but increased by 2.50 euros per ton on a monthly basis.
But while the European domestic market was calm, market sources reported that two Turkish cargoes had been sold to the region.
It was heard that one Turkish supplier was selling its cargo at a price of 640-650 dollars per ton on FOB terms, while another seller was reported to have sold 15,000 tons of materials at a price of 590 euros per ton CFR, including anti-dumping duty.
In Central Europe, prices for HRC dropped in the week to April 22 as buyers resisted higher offers from factories.
The drop occurred despite a recent increase in production costs as a result of the sharp rise in energy and raw material prices associated with the US-Iranian war.
This week, there were reports of offers from factories in the amount of about 695-715 euros per ton from the plant, while the real prices were estimated at about 700 euros per ton from the plant.
No new transactions were registered during the evaluation period.
Weekly
