Short Range Outlook : May 2020
Impact of Covid-19 starts to hit home across the global long steel market The supply and demand situation in the global long steel products market has deteriorated as global economies are doing much worse today thanks to protectionist measures and the Covid-19 pandemic. There is oversupply of almost everything, except those items that suddenly end up being in short supply due to impacts on the supply chain. This does not include ‘shortages’ that... Read More
Short Range Outlook : April 2020
Predictions for global longs market very difficult amid unprecedented virus impact It has become extremely difficult to predict the supply and demand situation in the global long steel products market. The impact of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic on overall economic situations or conditions in countries and regions will be at different levels, which might change the dynamics of steel demand and production separately. Regionalization of markets... Read More
IREPAS in Belgrade: Longs market outlook unclear amid coronavirus threat
The 82nd meeting of IREPAS (the International Rebar Exporters and Producers Association) was held in Belgrade, Serbia on March 1-3, 2020 in conjunction with the SteelOrbis Spring ’20 Conference. Unfortunately, the coronavirus outbreak had a negative impact on our 82nd meeting in Belgrade. After the news about the coronavirus cases observed in Italy by late February, many participants due to attend the 82nd IREPAS meeting decided not to travel to... Read More
Short Range Outlook : February 2020
Surplus supply and inadequate demand in global longs market There is still a surplus of supply and not enough demand in the global long steel products market. The profitability and margins of steel producers vary greatly between regions amid several factors such as the coronavirus outbreak and/or geopolitical issues like recent announcements relating to Israel/Palestine and Libya creating uncertainties for the future. Full impact of coronavirus in... Read More
The program of the 82nd meeting in Belgrade
Day 1: Sunday, March 1,2020 19:00 – 22:00 Welcome cocktail at Metropol Palace Hotel, Belgrade Day 2: Monday, March 2, 2020 09:00 – 09:15 Welcome address by Chairman of IREPAS 09:15 – 10:15 SESSION ONE – Economic developments and expectations Marko Cadez, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia... Read More
Short Range Outlook : January 2020
Global longs market appears in better shape, with sentiment also improving The global long steel products market is surely in a better shape today although we have yet to emerge from a slow-activity period due to the holidays in Europe and around the globe. However, real sentiment in the market is pretty positive, especially after the announcement that a trade deal between the US and China will be signed. That said, we have to keep in mind the possibility... Read More
Short Range Outlook : December 2019
Tight margins and cautious sentiment in global longs market despite output cuts at BFs There is still no clarity and no sign of economic recovery around the globe. Nevertheless, European and US production cuts at blast furnaces for extended periods have given much needed relief to the rest of the steel industry. The global long steel products market is picking up due to the production cuts, as anticipated. However, there may not be a considerable... Read More
Short Range Outlook : November 2019
Confusing environment prevails in global long steel products market The current environment in the global long steel products market is confusing. The raw material for blast furnaces is becoming cheaper, while ferrous scrap is getting more expensive and we observe increasing prices for both reinforcing bars and hot rolled coils. Customers are making inquiries for longer than they normally should, and mills are incurring greater losses than they can... Read More
IREPAS in Duesseldorf : Changing trade flows and market challenges discussed against backdrop of protectionism, trade conflicts and depressed conditions
The 81st meeting of IREPAS (the International Rebar Exporters and Producers Association) was held in Duesseldorf, Germany on September 22-24, 2019 in conjunction with the SteelOrbis Fall’19 Conference. There were 138 producer representatives among the 426 registered delegates from a total of 46 different countries. There were also 78 registrations representing 38 different raw material suppliers. At the opening of the conference, Murat Cebecioglu,... Read More
Short Range Outlook : September 2019
Global long steel market currently depressed amid more difficult circumstances The global long steel products market is depressed at the moment as circumstances are becoming more difficult. It has become a buyer’s market and is difficult to secure orders at reasonable prices. The problem lies more on the demand side rather than with supply, and, therefore, it might take longer for a balance to be reached. Steel prices decline amid sharp drops in... Read More