[SMM Steel] Vietnam HRC Market Remains Cautious as Import Prices Edge Lower

[Sheets & Plates]Today, export prices for HRC and other sheets & plates edged down by $1-3/mt day on day, with HRC transaction prices at $479-483/mt. Futures tumbled, market inquiry sentiment softened, and traders reported limited actual transactions.

[European Union] The NW Europe HRC daily index stood at around 833 USD/tonne EXW (721.75 EUR), while the Italian market edged up by roughly 0.3 USD/tonne to 830 USD/tonne EXW (719.50 EUR). The northern delivered index increased by about 23 USD/tonne to 923 USD/tonne delivered (800 EUR), while southern Europe rose to 934 USD/tonne delivered (810 EUR). Italian service centres were offering 946-957 USD/tonne delivered (820-830 EUR), although 850 EUR remained difficult to achieve, with transactions generally reported within the 923-957 USD/tonne range. In the spot market, an Italian supplier offered 830-842 USD/tonne delivered (720-730 EUR), while a European trader quoted 865-888 USD/tonne to Italy (750-770 EUR). A small lot was also heard at 825 USD/tonne EXW (715 EUR) for late-September delivery. A northern European integrated mill offered October material at 842 USD/tonne delivered (730 EUR), while buyers reportedly secured material at 854-877 USD/tonne delivered. In plate, Italy’s biweekly S235 assessment fell by 5 EUR to 802 USD/tonne EXW (695 EUR), while NW European S235 remained unchanged at 888 USD/tonne EXW (770 EUR). Italian re-rollers concluded S275 deals at 796-807 USD/tonne EXW (690-700 EUR), while German S355 was offered at 819-842 USD/tonne delivered. A Czech mill quoted S355 at 934 USD/tonne delivered to the Ruhr and 957 USD/tonne delivered to the Baltic region, while Danish re-rolled material was at 900-923 USD/tonne EXW. On the import side, Indonesian offers stood at 888-900 USD/tonne DDP to Spain and Portugal and 820 USD/tonne CFR for S275 to Italy, although buying interest was limited. Indian S275 was offered at around 720 USD/tonne CFR to Europe. As of July 24, 47% of the EU quota had been used, with fourth-quarter utilisation expected at 40%-50%.

[Turkey] Domestic HRC prices fell by 5 USD/tonne to 580 USD/tonne EXW, while export offers also declined by 5 USD/tonne to 570 USD/tonne FOB. Imported S235 remained unchanged at 530 USD/tonne CFR. Southern mills were generally offering around 580 USD/tonne EXW, while northern mills were closer to 590 USD/tonne EXW, with large-volume deals negotiable at 580. Some mills opened at 595-600 USD/tonne EXW, while a few quoted as high as 605-610, supported by planned September maintenance and regular exports to the US. A recent 30,000-tonne sale to Italy was concluded at 570 USD/tonne FOB for October shipment. On the import side, Chinese Q195 was quoted at 535-540 USD/tonne CFR, while one major mill offered 50,000 tonnes at 550 USD/tonne CFR. Malaysian material was available at 580 USD/tonne CFR. In the coated and cold-rolled segment, domestic HDG remained at 755 USD/tonne EXW and export offers at 725 USD/tonne FOB. CRC export prices rose by 5 USD/tonne to 665 USD/tonne FOB, while domestic prices fell by 5 USD/tonne to 680 USD/tonne EXW, with large orders heard at 670. Short-lead export material was offered at around 690 USD/tonne FOB, while longer-lead offers ranged from 660-680. HDG Z100 0.5 mm was quoted at 750-780 USD/tonne EXW domestically and 720-730 USD/tonne FOB for export.