Prices for Italian plates are stabilizing amid a lull in the market
According to Callanish, the prices of rolled steel products in Italy are stable compared to May due to uncertain demand and slow market development.
Manufacturers, however, are confident that prices will continue to rise in the coming months, especially when new trade measures come into force next month.
Imports of rolled steel will decrease from 2.2 million tons per year to about 1.3 million tons per year from July, which will inevitably lead to sales growth in Europe, sources believe. Currently, import prices do not have a negative impact on the market.
The raw materials already delivered to the port are offered at a price of 770 euros per ton (897.3 US dollars per ton) for grade S275 and 790 euros per ton for grade S355, which is not particularly attractive to buyers, since Italian factories offer similar prices. No import of materials is expected in the short term.
Thanks to enhanced EU protection measures, businesses are reporting acceptable results in the first four months of this year and expect 2026 to be relatively good overall, helped by protectionism and ongoing infrastructure projects funded by the European Covid Recovery Fund.
Slab prices, however, continue to rise, partly due to CBAM fees, with slab prices in Asia reaching $600 per tonne in Italy and above, sources said.
The plants have filled or almost filled their portfolios of orders for July and are offering 800 euros per ton from the manufacturer for the S275 grade. The current contracts for S275 remain at the level of 760-780 euros per ton from the plant.
Meanwhile, the prices of rolled steel in Northwestern Europe have not changed significantly for several weeks. Due to the general increase in steel prices that began last fall, some plants had to abandon the targets they set in April - more than 850 euros per ton in stock for the S355 brand. Observers from Germany and the Benelux, both buyers and businesses, estimate the S355 in the range of 800-850 euros per tonne delivered, and they see concessions at a higher price (see Kallanish of June 2).
Author: Natalia Kapra
Kallanish.com