Flat Steel Prices Unchanged, Anticipated Demand Surge May Shift Market in October

Flat steel prices remained stable across major markets, with no changes in HRC and CRC prices. However, demand is expected to rise during the festive season, driven by project activity and China's export restrictions. Price adjustments may follow soon as steelmakers like JSPL have announced increases.

Flat Steel Prices

  • Markets reported no price changes in HRC & CRC as compared to the previous day in a few geographical locations. The prices of flat products in various markets are as below: HRC offers
  • Ex-NCR/Delhi: Rs. 50,500/ton
  • Ex-Mumbai: Rs. 50,500/ton
  • Ex-Ahmedabad: Rs. 51,200/ton
  • Ex-Chennai: Rs. 51,000/ton
  • Ex-Kolkata: Rs. 49,200/ton
  • Ex-Hyderabad: Rs. 50,200/ton

CRC offers

  • Ex-NCR/Delhi: Rs. 58,000/ton

  • Ex-Mumbai: Rs. 60,700/ton

  • Ex-Ahmedabad: Rs. 62,000/ton

  • Ex-Chennai: Rs. 60,700/ton

  • Ex-Kolkata: Rs. 59,000/ton

  • Ex-Hyderabad: Rs. 59,800/ton

  • PM Plates prices for Kolkata stand at around Rs. 55,500/ton and Rs. 55,700/ton for Hyderabad on an ex-works basis, respectively.

Flat Steel Demand and Supply

  • Demand is expected to surge this festive season, fueled by several upcoming projects and recent policy changes in China that may limit exports to prioritize domestic consumption. This scenario presents a promising opportunity for Indian steelmakers to enhance production, as the reduction in Chinese imports increases dependence on local steel. On the supply side, manufacturing units are progressively ramping up their production capabilities to align with the evolving market dynamics.

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Flat Steel News

  • Tata Steel increased production of steel by 5% year-on-year in July-September Quarter in India. Domestic steel supplies increased by 5.8% y/y to 5.10 million tons in the July-September quarter. Its Dutch subsidiary saw a significant 41.2% rise in output to 1.68 million tons. In contrast, Tata Steel UK faced challenges, cutting production by 50% to 0.38 million tons following the shutdown of its last blast furnace in Port Talbot.

Expert Opinion

  • September saw a neutral to negative pricing trend in the steel sector. However, October could bring an uptick in steel prices, as companies such as JSPL have announced a price increase of Rs 1,500/ton at the plant level. While this adjustment has yet to reach the wider market, other manufacturers are expected to implement similar pricing strategies. Consequently, dealers and traders are likely to recalibrate their pricing in response to these market shifts.
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