[SMM Steel] European HRC Market Mixed as Mill Price Hikes Encounter Buyer Resistance
[Europe] As the European summer holiday season draws to a close, hot-rolled coil (HRC) spot prices across Northwest Europe and Italy saw narrow rangebound gains. Ex-works prices in Northwest Europe settled at 733 EUR/tonne EXW (approx. 851 USD/tonne), while Italian ex-works quotes stood at 727 EUR/tonne EXW (approx. 844 USD/tonne). On the supply side, some Northwest European mills actively offered November shipments to Southern Europe, raising quotes to 790 EUR/tonne DDP (approx. 917.50 USD/tonne), while certain Italian suppliers elevated quotes to 750โ760 EUR/tonne DDP (approx. 870โ883 USD/tonne). However, with downstream end-user demand recovering sluggishly and buyers unable to pass on higher costs, these elevated price levels were largely rejected by the market. In the import sector, Turkish mills held export offers to Europe steady at 565โ580 EUR/tonne CFR (approx. 656โ673 USD/tonne, excluding duties), though buyer interest remained minimal due to compounded tariff, quota, and compliance risks.