Lebanese buyers are taking their time before concluding new rebar purchases while a few local traders are not even inquiring about import rebar prices. In view of the situation in the Red Sea , the World Bank has commented in its MENA Economic Update that the ongoing conflict in the region comes at a time when global economic growth has been slowing down for the third consecutive year following the COVID pandemic. As a result, trading activity is slow in general in Lebanon while the preference is still given to steel products of duty-free origins.
Lately, Lebanese market players have been reporting sustainable offers from Libya, which are now at $545/mt FOB, up $15/mt from last month. The average freight cost for medium-size lots is estimated at $24-27/mt. Egyptian rebar and wire rod from the main supplier in the country is available at $600-610/mt CFR for June shipments. In the meantime, Iranian rebar offers for deliveries via Turkey have been reported at $500/mt CPT, marking the lowest price in the market.
Ex-Russia prices have also remained attractive in the Lebanese market. Offers have been reported at $550-560/mt CFR Tripoli.
Currently, ex-Turkey rebar offers vary at $580-600/mt, versus $585-600/mt FOB in late March, while wire rod prices vary at $600-610/mt FOB, versus $605/mt FOB also in late March. Freight costs are mostly stable at $15-20/mt from Turkey to Lebanon for small tonnages.
In the domestic retail market in Lebanon, ex-North Africa rebar offers are standing at $600/mt ex-warehouse.