Italian rebar ticks up

Italian rebar prices are ticking up compared to March. The increases implemented last month by producers have had the effect of stopping the price decline. However, activity remains uncertain and is forecast to subside from this week due to the Easter and 25 April holidays, Kallanish notes.

Italian rebar mills are mulling new price increases, pushing up their values to €500/tonne ($546) base ex-works. Some are still asking for €450-470/t. Buyers are indicating paid values at €440-450/t base ex-works. Including size extras, domestic prices are hovering at around €700-720/t ex-works. This is some €20/t increase compared to the last week of March. Mesh is at €520-530/t base ex-works on average, or €810-830/t ex-works including €300/t size extras, sources suggest.

Some buyers are considering purchasing cheaper imported material, given the high prices of domestic rebar. Italian building contractors’ association ANCE forecasts investments in construction to fall in 2023 by almost 6%, after a 12% increase registered in 2022.

Natalia Capra France