Posted on 21 Nov 2019
Italian domestic hot rolled coil transactions are finally increasing as producers are seeking a €20/tonne ($22/t) price hike compared to the beginning of the month, Kallanish learns from market sources.
While the market has been particularly slow, buyers are now feeling some pressure due to less availability. ArcelorMittal Italia is said to be having issues with delivering orders. Service centres that are not being delivered material from the former Ilva now have empty stocks and are trying to find alternative suppliers. Moreover, last month service centres ordered low volumes as they kept destocking due to uncertainty, Kallanish hears.
Domestic prices are now at €390-400/t base ex-works. While international prices of HRC are hiking (see Kallanish passim), Italian producers are asking for between €400-420/t base ex-works, sources say. The level of €420/t base ex-works is forecast to be achieved in December, sources say.
