Producers of flat steel products were trying to raise prices for December in Russia’s Central Federal District around Moscow during the week ended Monday November 29, but the rise may not be achieved in full because of weaker winter demand and signs of softening in secondary market prices, sources told Fastmarkets.
At the same time, there was no clarity among mills or local buyers about the domestic supply-demand balance in December, which made it difficult to assess the likelihood that mills’ price increases would be realized. So some producers offered December volumes with an “open price” or in a range with the specific price to be confirmed later.
When making purchasing decisions on flat steel products, traders also kept an eye on the situation in the rebar sector,