[SMM Steel] Iranian Slab Returns to Export Market as Buyer-Seller Price Gap Persists

Published: Aug 17, 2026 16:39

Save

[Iran] Last week, Iranian slab returned to the export market, but trading remained cautious due to weak domestic demand and a wide gap between buyer and seller expectations. A major steel mill recently sold 50,000 tonnes of slab through the Iran Mercantile Exchange (IME) at around USD 427/t FOB Imam Khomeini Port, while another mill offered August–September shipment material at USD 430/t FOB Bandar Abbas. However, amid rising geopolitical risks and high freight costs, buyers generally pushed for lower prices to offset logistics expenses. In the flat steel market, prices remained broadly stable, but government price controls and subdued trading activity continued to limit any meaningful recovery, with most market participants maintaining a wait-and-see stance.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM's internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or for more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn

For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn

Related News

6 mins ago

MMi Daily Iron Ore Report (August 17)

Iron ore futures traded softer today. The DCE most-active contract I2701 settled at RMB 706.5/mt, down 0.70% from the previous session. Spot prices at Qingdao Port fell RMB 2-4/mt from the previous trading day. Trader activity was moderate, while mills purchased on an as-needed basis, leaving overall spot transaction volumes on the light side.

6 mins ago

53 mins ago

[SMM Steel] India Domestic Steel Market Stable Amid Cautious Sentiment

[India] India’s domestic steel market remained stable but cautious on Monday compared with Friday with scrap and finished steel prices largely unchanged across key regions. The market sentiment is bearish and subdued with buyers adopting a wait-and-watch approach amid limited price movement and balanced demand-supply conditions. In northern Mandi Gobindgarh, HMS 1&2 (80:20) flat delivered Mandi 355USD/tonne (33,900 INR/tonne). Billet prices stable delivered Mandi at 443USD/tonne (42,400INR/tonne). Meanwhile, Mumbai HMS 1&2 (80:20) unchanged delivered Mumbai 324USD/tonne (31,000INR/tonne). Rebar prices unchanged delivered Mumbai 495USD/tonne (47,300INR/tonne). In South India, billet unchanged delivered Chennai at 455USD/tonne (43,500INR/tonne).

53 mins ago

55 mins ago

8.17 SMM Global Steel Daily

[Flat Products]Today some HRC and other flat-product export prices were steady to slightly higher day on day, with HRC transaction prices at 484-487 USD/tonne. The trading atmosphere was ordinary today and few firm deals were heard in flat products. [Billet]Today billet export FOB prices were steady, with Jiangyin port offers at 448-453 USD/tonne. According to market feedback, mills continue to operate at a loss and are largely optimistic about prices ahead, so export offers are hard to push down; with the renminbi currently weaker, overseas buyers are resistant to higher offers and deals are difficult to conclude. [Rebar]Today rebar export offers at Tianjin port were steady, with overall transaction prices at 472-477 USD/tonne. According to exporters, wait-and-see sentiment built through the day, overseas enquiries were clearly weaker than last week, and no transactions have been reported so far.

55 mins ago