Italian plate prices are stable compared to the beginning of December. Although producers have pushed up prices for this month, most quotations are still at a level of €500/tonne ($518.9/t) ex-works and below. This is due to competitively-priced imported material being received by both Northern and Southern Italian ports, market sources tell Kallanish.

Local producers and smaller re-rollers are quoting between €500-550/t ex-works for the basic heavy plate quality. Larger buyers are being supplied mainly by larger producers whose rolling facilities are based in France.

Chinese steelmakers are not quoting due to the anti-dumping duties on Chinese plates. Italy however is receiving plates from Turkey and India at “… interesting” prices, sources reveal. The December price range for Italian plate remains at €480-500/t ex-works. Some distributors have purchased material at ports at €460/t cif at the beginning of the month but these transactions are very few in number.

Real demand for plate in Italy remains weak with distributors resisting price increases as much as they can and refusing to stock up, sources suggest.