Steel plate prices in Turkey have been relatively stable for a few weeks in a row, amid moderate demand, modest restocking by buyers and the lack of pressure from the hot rolled coil (HRC) side. Still, import scrap prices have started to slide and so buyers might ask for discounts if the market for flats starts weakening overall.
In the local market, Erdemir’s plate prices have been maintained this week at $840-890/mt ex-works depending on the steel grade and the order volume and specification.
Import offers from the EU are among the highest in the Turkish market, partially due to a limited allocation, but also European mills are not in a position to sell to Turkey at levels lower than those obtainable in Europe. As a result, Bulgaria’s Stomana still stands at $885/mt CFR for March shipment and Romania’s Liberty Galati is also still offering at $880-890/mt CFR for the same lead time.
Plate offers from Asia are currently the most competitive despite longer lead times and are actually preventing active sales from the EU due to the price difference. South Korea is offering at $750/mt CFR for April shipments, while China is offering at $690-700/mt CFR for S235JR and at around $740-750/mt CFR for Grade A and for March shipments.