Prices for rolled steel in Italy are rising, although orders are still low as the market enters the August downtime period, when the entire steel sector stops for maintenance and buyers focus on administrative work this week ahead of the holidays. Sources ,
,They told Kallanish that they expect the price of rolls to continue to rise in September and October, when buyers in Italy and Spain exhaust their stocks and need to purchase materials in Europe.
Only large processors remain active in the import market, while service centers remain on the sidelines, as large volumes of shipments have been created in anticipation of the introduction of new tariff quotas (TRQs). Traders say that import activity has been completely suspended. Buyers are interested in materials for the next stage of import in the first quarter of 2027, but proposals and contracts have not yet been finalized.
ArcelorMittal has raised its base prices for hot-rolled coils for Southern Europe to 770 euros per tonne (876.9 US dollars per tonne). In Italy, factory sources have reported an increase in orders in recent days, despite a seasonal slowdown. HRC prices in Southern Europe are currently 710-730 euros per tonne with delivery, with very rare highs of 760 euros per tonne, but in small volumes. Prices for cold-rolled coils and hot-dip galvanized rolled products are also rising to 800-830 euros per base tonne supplied.
At the same time, the consumption of rolled products such as sheets and pipes has virtually stopped in Italy, although prices for sheets have increased sharply since the beginning of June. Hot-rolled black sheet is currently being sold at a price of 800-820 euros per ton, and service centers are raising prices to 850 euros per ton. Sources are confident that this level can be reached in October.
The market for rolled products has changed since the introduction of new trade measures, although consumption growth has not yet occurred.
Several service centers are reporting sales growth in the first seven months of this year, although margins remain under pressure. Factories will benefit from rising prices, but service centers are still expected to be in a difficult position, caught between rising raw material prices and weak secondary market consumption, with customers reluctant to accept volumes. Independent service centers are also losing the ability to manage costs due to import speculation under the new trading system.
Author: Natalia Kapra France
kallanish.com
