[SMM Steel] High Mill Margins Trigger Buyer Resistance as Turkish Rebar Momentum Stalls
[Turkey] Following significant price increases in recent weeks, purchasing activity in the Turkish domestic rebar market has slowed slightly. Although underlying construction demand remains solid, buyers are resisting further price hikes as steelmakers' profit margins over imported scrap continue to widen while downstream project costs escalate, keeping recent restocking cautious. On the pricing front, domestic rebar ex-works quotes edged up to 592 USD/tonne EXW (excluding VAT). Regionally, mainstream mills in Marmara raised offers to 610–615 USD/tonne EXW yesterday; quotes in Izmir held steady at 587–590 USD/tonne EXW; while a mill in Iskenderun maintained sales at 587 USD/tonne EXW. On the export front, market trading remained quiet. European buyers have largely concluded purchases for post-October 1 quota clearance, with many market participants still on summer break or having just returned. Mill export offers held steady at 590–595 USD/tonne FOB for rebar and 600–605 USD/tonne FOB for wire rod.