[SMM Steel] Tightening Quotas and Supply Concerns Push EU HRC and Plate Prices Higher
[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%.