Weak consumption limits the growth of prices for Italian long-term loans
Contract prices for long products in Italy are generally stable, despite manufacturers' statements about price increases in early 2026, Kallanish notes.
While prices for some types of products, including fittings, have decreased slightly, prices for other types of products remain stable. Long products prices are rising due to recent price increases at both domestic and European enterprises.
Agents and distributors report that price increases in the secondary market are challenging, especially in retail chains where structural consumption weakness persists.
Earlier this month, the bar manufacturers requested a price increase of 50 euros per ton (58.94 US dollars per ton), although it has since been reduced to about 20 euros per ton.
Customers have restocked before the announced increase, and current consumption at higher prices remains low, as customers are now getting supplies that were ordered at the old prices. Compared to the contract level at the beginning of the month, contracts increased by an average of about 10-15 euros per ton.
.Most contracts for the supply of rolled products are still priced at 270-290 euros per ton, which is equivalent to 690-710 euros per ton, including additional sizes, while plants are targeting 300 euros per ton.
Scrap metal prices in Italy are rising by about 30 euros per ton. Sustained competition from foreign suppliers, rising energy prices, and rising scrap metal prices have prompted several European manufacturers to take a tougher pricing stance. Italian grades of the first category are sold for about 760 euros per ton.
However, the market situation remains uncertain due to several cases of non-payment. The distributor says that it is no longer possible to maintain stable prices from month to month.
"If we try to sell at the same prices, we will lose orders," he comments. He adds that the recent price increase is further slowing activity, putting the market out of balance between rising commodity prices and price pressures in the secondary market.
As for the merchant bar, he says he refrains from making new purchases. Materials purchased in December remain unused due to weak demand, which leads to an increase in inventories.
Author: Natalia Capra France
Kallanish.com