Mixed trends persist in the European long steel market. Rising energy and logistics costs are prompting some producers to push more actively for higher prices, while distributors and end users are limiting purchases to current needs.
In Italy, producers’ offers for rebar remain unchanged from last week at €720 per tonne, including standard extras.
In Poland, market participants say new offers are around €660 per tonne (2,900 zlotys) delivered. The latest deals were concluded at €640–645 per tonne (2,800–2,830 zlotys) delivered, €5 above last week’s level. Demand for Polish products from Ukraine is strengthening expectations of further price increases, but it is too early to speak of a market-wide shift. Meanwhile, Europe’s largest steel producer has announced plans to raise prices by €30 per tonne for November sales.
In Central Europe, particularly Germany, rebar prices have also reached €650 per tonne delivered, €10 above SteelOrbis’s latest assessments. Logistics are having the greatest impact on the market: water levels on the Rhine remain significantly below normal.
In the export market, alongside Italian offers, Spanish rebar is offered at €645–650 per tonne FOB. Prices are broadly unchanged. Sources also note that shipments through the Black Sea are becoming more difficult as insurance and freight costs rise amid the ongoing conflict.
On the import market, there are signs of weaker prices from Turkey. Official offers for Turkish rebar for November shipment stand at €585–595 per tonne CFR: prices have fallen in dollar terms but are unchanged in euros from last week. Market participants report that some Turkish mills are willing to consider €575–580 per tonne CFR for large volumes, but no deals at these levels have been confirmed.
Turkish wire rod offers fell by $5 per tonne over the week. The upper end of the range also declined by €5 from the previous level, to €595–600 per tonne CFR for shipment in the same period. Egyptian rebar is offered at €580–585 per tonne CFR, while wire rod is priced at €595–600 per tonne CFR. Compared with last week, the upper end of the rebar range fell by €5 per tonne, while the lower end of the wire rod range rose by the same amount.
Overall, European producers are seeking to pass at least part of their higher energy costs on through finished steel prices. Stable scrap prices provide only limited support for their demands. Market sentiment remains cautious: high energy and transport costs could strengthen suppliers’ position, but weak end-user demand is holding back price increases for long steel products.
€1 = $1.12
Author: SteelOrbis editorial team