Steel Plate Markets Show Divergent Trends as China Gains While Germany Faces Pressure

Regional variation characterized the global Steel Plate market in the first week of June ****. Chinese prices increased week-on-week by *.** to USD ***/MT, while prices in Germany fell *.** to USD ***/MT. In China, the gains occurred due to confined supply and improvement in the downstream sentiment while across Europe competition increased, and since the previous week, demand was still lacklustre.

Key Takeaways:

• China Steel Plate Prices: Rose *.** to USD ***/MT (Ex-Shanghai) driven by restricted supply and stable demand
• Germany Steel Plate Prices: Fell *.** to USD ***/MT (FD Ruhr) due to weak distribution demand and competitive pressure
• Supply Dynamics: Chinese production remained constrained by maintenance programs, while European mills faced pressure from falling import slab costs
• Demand Patterns: Chinese shipbuilding and heavy machinery sectors showed resilience, while German construction and manufacturing faced continued headwinds
• Inventory Levels: Chinese inventories drawing down amid production constraints, European distributors minimizing...