On Monday, September 21, prices for hot-rolled rolled products in Northern Europe and Italy increased despite weak demand. Market participants note that the quotes are supported by limited import activity, buyer caution and uncertainty around supplies.
In Northern Europe, sources reported a gradual increase in prices, but there was no noticeable replenishment of stocks on the market. One of the suppliers named an acceptable level for October supplies of 740-750 euros per ton from the plant and added that the company expects to reach 760 euros per ton if demand increases.
"The factories are closely monitoring the situation," the supplier said.
According to the same source, the market remains very calm due to the high risks associated with quota guarantees and the CBAM carbon boundary adjustment mechanism. This keeps customers from actively purchasing.
Another supplier noted that prices are likely to remain mostly stable in the near future, and by the end of the year the domestic market may approach the level of about 800 euros per ton from the plant.
The distributor in Germany reported offers for the material in the range of 750-760 euros per ton with delivery, while the buyers' targets were closer to 730-740 euros per ton from the factory. According to him, the market was very quiet and demand was weak.
The same source added that the levels of about 720 euros per ton from the plant, which were previously discussed on the market, have not been reached.
One of the buyers said on September 21 that lower offers were possible, but he considered about 750 euros per ton from the plant to be a fair estimate, and the levels of 775 euros per ton to be overestimated.
As a result, the Fastmarkets daily index for domestic hot-rolled coils in Northern Europe was 745 euros per tonne on September 21, which is 7.50 euros higher than the level of 737.50 euros per tonne recorded on September 18.
The index also rose by 7.50 euros per tonne compared to the previous week and by 22.92 euros per tonne compared to the previous month.
In Italy, the situation with achievable prices remained less certain, as sellers and buyers named different levels.
According to trade sources, the most profitable offers on Friday, September 18, were at the level of 750 euros per ton delivered, which corresponds to about 735 euros per ton from the factory after deducting delivery of 15 euros per ton.
The same source added that the space for negotiations is limited: for small shipments, an acceptable level was called 750 euros per tonne delivered, and for larger volumes — 740-745 euros per tonne delivered, or 725-730 euros per tonne from the factory.
On Monday, another representative of the distribution company said that the minimum prices he had heard about were
