The European hot-rolled coil (HRC) market remains subdued due to the summer holiday season, with trading activity nearly non-existent. Prices have stayed broadly flat, with firm offers being rare as suppliers adopt a “case-by-case” approach.
The workable market level is estimated at €600-620 per tonne ex-works, though some larger volume deals might achieve €590 per tonne. Offers for September-delivery HRC are around €620-650 per tonne ex-works in Northern Europe, with some mills targeting €660 per tonne for October deliveries.
Despite the current quiet market, the post-summer price direction remains uncertain. Some sources believe that limited imports due to new safeguards and potential anti-dumping investigations could support higher prices.
However, weak real consumption and a lack of demand recovery until the end of the year pose challenges to any sustainable price rebound. In Southern Europe, the market is similarly quiet, with local suppliers expected to return with fresh offers at the end of August after summer maintenance work.
