Following persistent downward pressure in recent weeks, Romania’s longs market has entered a more stable phase, with both the domestic mill and traders refraining from further headline price cuts this week. Nevertheless, the market stability remains fragile, as weak demand continues to weigh on business and discounts of €10-15/mt are still available in negotiations. Despite the approaching end of August, trading activity has yet to show any meaningful recovery, with the holiday period, sufficient inventories and tight liquidity keeping buyers cautious and purchases largely confined to immediate needs. Attention is therefore gradually shifting toward September, when market participants expect activity to pick up, while some Romanian buyers are already showing interest in Turkish material for potential new bookings.
Romanian traders are currently offering rebar at €610-615/mt ex-warehouse, broadly unchanged from last week. Workable levels, however, can fall by €10-15/mt depending on volumes and payment terms, as sellers remain willing to make concessions to secure the limited business available. Meanwhile, the country’s sole rebar producer, Beltrame, has also kept its quotations at €610-620/mt ex-works, although discounts of €10-15/mt are heard to be possible for larger volumes and serious inquiries.
Wire rod quotations have likewise remained at €650-660/mt ex-warehouse this week. Some flexibility is still possible during negotiations, but buying interest remains weak and transactions continue to be largely need-based.
On the import side, Turkish material has attracted more attention this week, as expectations of higher prices in Turkey, together with the continued strength of the scrap market, appear to have encouraged some Romanian buyers to make a move ahead of September. Market sources suggest that a few purchases may already have been concluded, although no details regarding volumes or transaction prices have emerged so far. Turkish rebar is currently quoted at $575-590/mt FOB, up from $570-580/mt FOB last week. With freight estimated at $25-30/mt, the corresponding delivered level is calculated at approximately €520-540/mt CFR Romania, compared to €520-530/mt CFR Romania previously. Egyptian offers have also increased this week. Rebar is currently quoted at $580-590/mt FOB, up from $575-580/mt FOB last week, while wire rod has risen to $600-610/mt FOB from $590-600/mt FOB. Including freight of approximately $30-35/mt, these levels correspond to €530-545/mt CFR Romania for rebar, compared to €525-535/mt CFR last week, and €550-560/mt CFR for wire rod, up from €540-550/mt CFR previously. Import activity from the EU, meanwhile, remains subdued. Bulgarian rebar offers are unchanged at €610-620/mt CPT Romania, though interest at these levels is still weak. Elsewhere in Europe, the summer holiday period continues to restrict trading activity and the availability of fresh quotations, leaving few new offers in the Romanian market for the time being.
Author: SteelOrbis Editorial Team
