Since the local market situation has not gotten any better and EU producers have remained silent on offers, Romania’s sole flat steel producer and traders have chosen to stick with the previous weeks’ offers. However, the persistent absence of construction projects, coupled with Romania's economic woes, does not cast a good light on the future. Though a downward trend in offers is not anticipated very soon, according to market players, owing to the increased costs.
As a result, the Romanian producer has continued to maintain hot rolled coil (HRC) prices at €725-730/mt ex-works, while holding back cold rolled coil (CRC) offers. Likewise, the mill's domestic pricing for HDG and PPGI is stable week on week at €780-785/mt ex-works and €1,055-1,080/mt ex-works, respectively.
In light of the lack of any changes in the market, traders based in Romania have likewise chosen to maintain the same offers as they did last week. Thus, hot rolled sheet (HRS) is €780-790/mt ex-warehouse and cold rolled sheet (CRS) is €870-880/mt ex-warehouse.
In the meantime, there have been no deals in the import segment this week, as demand in the local market has been weak. Ex-Turkey offers have been reported at $690-710/mt FOB and with freight of about €25/mt, arriving in Romania for €660-675/mt CFR.