Polish rebar prices flatten despite producers’ push for rise

Domestic steel rebar prices in Poland were flat in the week to Friday March 31, despite mills’ attempts to push for an increase, sources told Fastmarkets.
Fastmarkets’ weekly price assessment for steel reinforcing bar (rebar), domestic, exw Poland remained at 3,350 zloty ($778) per tonne on Friday, unchanged from March 22.

Rebar offers from mills in Poland were reported at 3,400-3,450 zloty per tonne CPT (3,370-3,420 zloty per tonne EXW) for 12mm rebar, compared with 3,400 zloty per tonne CPT last week, but deals were reported at lower levels.

Large buyers and cut-and-bend companies were placing bids as low as 3,200 zloty per tonne CPT, but mills said this level was below costs for them.

Bookings were heard at 3,350 zloty per tonne EXW during the week, but for limited volumes.

Trading was limited, since buyers were cautious about the price trend in April.

Demand from construction sector was still weak, but sources expected some pick up of construction activity in April due to some infrastructural projects start.

In the secondary market, rebar was on offer and was traded at around 3,370-3,380 zloty per tonne CPT, broadly stable week on week.

“We are trying to keep [rebar] prices stable, but sales are slow,” a trading source said.

Import offers remained rare in Poland during the assessment week.

Italian and German producers were still out of the market during the assessment week, reportedly mulling a price rise. The most recent offers from Italy for April-delivery rebar to Poland were heard at €715 ($778) per tonne CPT in mid-March

Moldova-origin rebar was offered to the west of Poland at €705-710 per tonne CPT, depending on a tonnage.

Published by: Julia Bolotova