While Italian hot rolled coil demand and prices are surging compared to the low points seen in November, cold rolled and hot-dipped galvanised coil prices remain mostly stable compared to last must and sellers also report increasing demand, Kallanish hears.
Domestic HDG values are at €700-740/tonne ($737-779/t) base ex-works on average. These values however can often become delivered as prices not only in Italy but also in other European countries remain rather weak due to uncertainty and the downturn of the steel industry globally. In Northern and Eastern Europe, HDG is said to be sold at an average €730-750/t delivered, depending on volumes and clients.
In line with increasing HRC values, some producers are considering pushing up prices for HDG and CRC but are afraid that increases will slow demand. Asian offers for CRC are in the range $670-680/t cfr Italy while little import offers are reported for HDG. Italian CRC contracts start at €690-700/t base ex-works for the low point of the range and go up to €730-740/t, sources suggest.
Meanwhile, Italian HRC prices are increasing by some €20/tonne ($20.9) on average compared to last week, although demand remains patchy. Italian contracts are now rising to €610-630/t base ex-works (see Kallanish passim).
Natalia Capra France
