Short Range Outlook : January 2015
Lull in markets due to holiday period The global long steel products market has been quiet recently mostly because of the holidays in many countries, with business volumes shrinking to low levels. The market situation has deteriorated with strong and agressive offers in terms of volumes and prices, with demand stagnating. Many consumers of deformed reinforcing bars are squeezed... Read More
Short Range Outlook : December 2014
Oversupply still evident Oversupply has been evident in the global long steel market from September up to the end of November, slowing down demand, putting pressure on the market and pushing prices downwards. However, outputs are being reduced in certain areas and demand in the global long steel products market is now at reasonable levels although purchasing processes in general... Read More
Short Range Outlook : November 2014
High levels of competition The global long steel products market is still showing a high degree of competition. Demand is strong in North America, the Persian Gulf region and the Southeast Asian market. However, other markets like the EU and South America are still showing some weakness. China is still influencing the perception of oversupply in the global long steel products market... Read More
IREPAS in Berlin: Specter of rising Chinese exports haunts the markets
The 71st meeting of IREPAS (International Rebar Exporters and Producers Association) was held in Berlin, Germany on September 28-30. There were 82 producer representatives among the 288 registered delegates from 40 different countries. There were 48 registrations representing 33 different raw material suppliers. Raw material suppliers: Increasing Chinese exports will alter market... Read More
Short Range Outlook : September 2014
Challenging times in global longs market despite some demand improvements There has been a reasonable resumption of demand for long steel products in the North American and northern EU markets following the holiday period. Overall, the supply-demand imbalance seems to have eased, particularly for semi-finished materials, as a result of some cuts in production. Geopolitical conflict... Read More
Short Range Outlook : July 2014
Decent performance in global long steel market but rising concerns due to several issues Global demand has remained at reasonable levels during the course of the last 30 days. The market has been performing well in the Americas and showing better numbers in Europe. Elsewhere, market dynamics have continued to be strong in MENA countries, Africa and Asia. However, excess supply in... Read More
Short Range Outlook : June 2014
Healthy demand but persisting concerns in global long steel products market Demand has continued to improve in the global long steel products market, especially in the Americas and the EU. The US market remains particularly healthy demandwise, though supply is still very high, leading to worries that the market may have peaked. Commercial activity is increasing in Central and South... Read More
Short Range Outlook : May 2014
Some bright spots in global long steel demand despite ongoing uncertainties The global long steel products market is still characterized by uncertainty amid the adverse effects of ongoing political tensions. The market combines areas where business is reasonably good, with some others where business is very weak. Real demand slowed down last month in the EU market due to the Easter... Read More
Long steel products demand varies significantly between different markets
The 70th meeting of IREPAS (International Rebar Exporters and Producers Association) was held in Barcelona, Spain on March 31-April 1. There were 101 producer representatives among the 330 registered delegates from 39 different countries. Ioannis Meimaroglu, chairman of the IREPAS raw material suppliers committee, underlined the record-high 44 registrations of representatives of... Read More
Short Range Outlook : March 2014
Political instability casts a shadow over long steel market The global long steel products market has been adversely affected by political developments in Ukraine and Turkey, and also by the prevailing market conditions. The downward trend in raw material prices and the excess supply of finished products in the market have resulted in a slowdown in purchasing activity. Despite the... Read More