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 balances Ioannis Meimaroglou, chairman of the IREPAS raw material suppliers... Read More
Chairman Marti: Fear of oversupply from China justified
Speaking at the opening of the SteelOrbis 2014 Fall Conference & 71st IREPAS meeting in Berlin on September 29, IREPAS chairman Kim Marti stated that the global economy is showing positive signals with 3.3 percent growth expected this year and 4 percent in 2015, adding that the US economy is also accelerating, helping the whole world to grow, especially its neighbors Canada and Central America. Mr. Marti also pointed out that consumer confidence... 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 has caused business disruptions in the Black Sea region, Iraq and... 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 general is putting a lot of pressure on pricing and margins. Steel... 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 America, with the exception of Brazil where the market appears to... 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 holidays. However, the customers in the region who had postponed their... 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 a total of 32 different raw material supplier companies for this latest... 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 continuing improvements in developed economies, these have not been... Read More
Short Range Outlook : February 2014
Difficulties in emerging markets adversely impact long steel business The annualized crude steel production of the world steel industry in December last year decreased to 1.521 billion metric tons as the average daily rate of production declined by 2.5 percent in the given month compared to the previous month. The capacity utilization rate of the industry was 74.2 percent in December. According to the World Steel Association (worldsteel), the 65... Read More
Short Range Outlook: January 2014
Mood brightens in global long steel market despite ongoing unpredictability The global long steel products market has resumed business after the holiday period, as activity had stopped in many countries from the middle of December up to the first week of January. The mild weather conditions in the EU have permitted reasonable levels of construction activity, which have helped to sustain a certain volume of demand in the region’s long steel market.... Read More