In Brazil, prices of coil and plate are relatively steady, amid reduced purchasing from distributors and depressed end-user consumption. A number of observers express concern regarding the government’s handling of…
US Steelmakers Announce Second Round of Price Hikes, But Will They Stick?
US steel producers increased their list prices, in the past few days. This follows an initial announcement, in late April/early May, when domestic mills attempted to draw a line in…
World Crude Steel Production Slumps by 13% in April
World crude steel production is estimated to have fallen by 13.0 percent, year-on-year, to 131.1 million tonnes in April, according to a recent release by the World Steel Association (worldsteel)….
Southern European Prices Fall as Lockdown Eases
Spanish society is slowly adapting to the relaxation of some anti-coronavirus measures. Many steel distributors are back at work, selling mainly to industrial clients rather than the auto sector. Domestic vehicle…
Northern European Longs Prices Under Pressure as Southern Mills Resume Production
Long steel product mills, in Spain and Italy, have resumed operations but demand, in their home markets, is poor. Consequently, as they seek new markets, selling values are expected to…
Nordic Flat Steel Demand Weakens as EC Mulls Quota Cuts
Purchasing activity remained at a high level, in northern Europe, into April. However, a decline has been observed, in recent weeks. Despite production cuts, by regional steelmakers, the reduction in…
Activity Returns to the UK Steel Market
In the UK, demand is weak, compared with previous expectations, but increased activity was noticeable, in recent weeks. Several service centres continued to operate, throughout the lockdown period, with reduced…
European Prices Decline Amid Limited Transactions
European buyers of strip mill products are purchasing minimal quantities, at present, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown measures imposed by the authorities, in individual countries. This resulted in…
German Steel Buyers Revise Their Purchase Volumes
Germany’s industries are starting to reopen business as normal. As steel buyers return to work, they are revising their purchase quantities, for this year, by postponing and cancelling selected orders….
How Will Coronavirus Pandemic Affect Global Steel Production in 2020 & 2021?
Early indications suggested that 2020 would be a year of modest economic recovery. Activity had been trending downwards since the zenith reached in the spring of 2018. Both governments and…