Italian rebar contracts have ticked higher in recently concluded deals, with producers pushing prices up further in October, asking for €480-490/tonne ($545.8-557.2/t) base ex-works.
The increases, however, are struggling to take off with buyers who are adopting a cautious stance considering the weak market activity, sources tell Kallanish.
Some sources say they are starting to feel the impact of EU-funded infrastructure projects coming to an end. One distributor reports weak demand for rebar and mesh in recent weeks. A construction company is more positive, however. It expects a good October as new orders are coming in.
“Payment delays persist, and despite a slightly better demand in the second half of September, the market remains challenging,” another source comments.
Rebar contracts implemented last week were concluded at €430-440/t base ex-works on average.
The level of €460/t is heard being charged for a truckload, equivalent to 30 tonnes. Kallanish assesses Italian rebar at €690-730/t ex-works on Friday, including size extras of €260-270/t.
Mesh prices are reported at €520-540/t delivered, excluding €300/t for size extras.
