Rebar and wire rod prices in the Polish domestic market remained stable in the week to Friday February 20, despite mills’ attempt to push for higher offer levels, Fastmarkets heard.
According to market sources, mills were increasing their offers on long steel products, but buyers were still resisting rises while demand remained low in the country during the winter months.
For wire rod, drawing quality, offers from mills were reported within the range of 2,900-2,950 zloty ($812-826) per tonne delivered, but estimates of workable prices were lower, at 2,700-2,780 zloty per tonne delivered.
A deal for small tonnages of wire rod was heard at 2,750 zloty per tonne delivered.
“Demand is stable but low. We are not seeing increases yet,” one market source said, adding that demand for wire rod should pick up in the spring when consumption from key sectors, such as construction, was expected to increase.
Another trade source said that the market would not yet “accept” price increases, because end-customers were in no rush to place new orders.
Fastmarkets’ weekly price assessment for steel wire rod (drawing quality), domestic, delivered Poland, was 2,700-2,780 zloty per tonne on Wednesday, unchanged week on week.
Meanwhile, for rebar, offers from mills varied within the range of 2,550-2,600 zloty per tonne CPT. No new trading was reported during the assessment period.
Fastmarkets’ weekly price assessment for steel reinforcing bar (rebar), domestic, cpt Poland, was 2,550-2,600 zloty per tonne on Wednesday, also stable week on week.
