French long product prices are mostly stable, with some softening of around €10/tonne ($11.3/t) reflecting current uncertainty and limited downstream demand, Kallanish hears.
In flat products, black hot rolled sheet and tube prices are rising by €40/t on-month to €770-800/t delivered, in line with higher coil prices across Europe.
On long products, downstream sentiment is not negative, though consumption remains reduced. Several distributors report matching first-half volumes from the previous year, with some achieving slightly higher volumes at acceptable margins. Price increases for September appear unlikely, however, given reduced order intake from the construction sector, which in France is going through a harsh crisis.
Domestic merchant bar is at €310-320/t delivered, excluding size extras of around €410/t. Section prices are holding stable for now, with first-category sections at €800/t delivered.
Rebar prices have edged down from last month’s peak to around €680/t delivered as a midpoint, with activity slow due to subdued construction. Section prices are being raised by €25/t, which has not yet translated into contracts. First category sections remain at €800/t delivered.
The market is now at a standstill as the entire sector heads into the August shutdown. Most mills will carry out maintenance during August, with activity set to resume in September.
