The export price of slab from Russia and Ukraine has risen by about $20 to 30/ton compared to last months prices. The current available quantity is also limited. There are many buyers in the market right now and therefore make the supply even tighter. With CSN’s furnace break down and the planned maintenance of black furnaces by Posco and Japanese mills, as well as the strong demand, the tight supply situation will be further affected. Market observers expect the conditions will stay the same with a increasing slab price for the next few months and will only changes toward the third quarter of the year.
(Mar. 16)