For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• The Cold Rolled Sheet Price Index in the USA slightly decreased quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025, as moderate destocking activity and flat automotive demand weighed on transactional values.
• The Cold Rolled Sheet Production Cost Trend remained broadly stable, with feedstock hot rolled coil and energy input prices showing minimal fluctuation.
• The Cold Rolled Sheet Demand Outlook was subdued, with purchasing momentum from construction and consumer durables segments showing hesitation amid economic uncertainty.
• Imports from Mexico and Canada increased slightly, contributing to softer price sentiment in June.
Why did the price of Cold Rolled Sheet change in July 2025 in North America?
• The Cold Rolled Sheet Spot Price in July 2025 likely remained under mild downward pressure as buyers limited forward orders.
• End-user demand in appliances and transportation remained cautious, though not drastically weaker.
• The Cold Rolled Sheet Price Forecast suggests slight price stability unless Q3 restocking picks up pace.
• The Cold Rolled Sheet Demand Outlook remains restrained, awaiting signs of a broader recovery in consumer-linked steel sectors.
APAC
• The Cold Rolled Sheet Price Index in Malaysia dropped by 14% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025 due to oversupply from regional producers and weak buying in downstream export markets.
• The Cold Rolled Sheet Production Cost Trend decreased, driven by falling substrate and processing cost across local rerolling mills.
• The Cold Rolled Sheet Demand Outlook weakened sharply as downstream demand from electronics and general manufacturing sectors contracted.
• South Korean and Chinese origin CRC imports intensified competition, undercutting local offers.
Why did the price of Cold Rolled Sheet change in July 2025 in Malaysia?
• The Cold Rolled Sheet Spot Price in July 2025 likely edged down further due to high inventories and lackluster restocking sentiment.
• Downstream processors remained hesitant as global export demand failed to recover.
• The Cold Rolled Sheet Price Forecast points to further downside unless export incentives or production curbs are introduced.
• The Cold Rolled Sheet Demand Outlook remains weak amid shrinking OEM order volumes.
Europe
• The Cold Rolled Sheet Price Index in Germany slightly increased quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025, supported by steady intake from automotive and engineering applications.
• The Cold Rolled Sheet Production Cost Trend was stable, with HR coil input prices and energy costs holding firm across Q2.
• The Cold Rolled Sheet Demand Outlook was moderately positive, buoyed by consistent procurement from regional OEMs.
• Imports from Eastern Europe remained limited, allowing German mills to sustain margin levels.
Why did the price of Cold Rolled Sheet change in July 2025 in Germany?
• The Cold Rolled Sheet Spot Price in July 2025 likely held flat, with mills pursuing rollover strategies amid manageable inventory positions.
• Demand from engineering and machinery remained consistent, although construction sector orders lagged.
• The Cold Rolled Sheet Price Forecast signals minor upside potential if domestic orders firm up in Q3.
• The Cold Rolled Sheet Demand Outlook stays cautiously optimistic in the context of EU industrial output.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
The North American Cold Rolled Sheet market experienced a significant upward trend in Q1 2025, driven by a combination of global and regional factors influencing both supply and demand dynamics. During Q1 2025, with prices settling at USD 1,395/MT CFR Manzanillo in Mexico.
The quarter revealed a 5% incline between Q1 quarter and Q4 last year, underscoring the bullish sentiment in the market. Supply constraints were a major factor, stemming from global disruptions such as import restrictions, port congestions, and broader inefficiencies in supply chain operations. These constraints limited the availability of product in the region, creating upward pressure on prices. At the same time, the demand for product in North America increased, particularly from industries tied to production, solidifying the market's positive momentum.
The Mexico demonstrated the most significant price changes, with an increase recorded indicating a steady upward trend. Despite disruptions in the supply chain, the pricing environment remained optimistic throughout the quarter, bolstered by rising domestic demand and constrained imports.
Europe
The European Cold Rolled Sheet market demonstrated significant weakness in Q1 2025, with prices settling at USD 818/MT Fed-Ruhr in Germany, representing a 1.3% decline from Q4 2024. This downward movement reflects a confluence of challenging market conditions affecting the region. Additionally, Germany emerged as the epicentre of price movements, setting the tone for the broader European market. The quarter was characterized by persistent oversupply conditions, while demand remained subdued. Global economic uncertainties and ongoing geopolitical tensions further complicated the market landscape, adding to the bearish sentiment. Moreover, Key end-user sectors, notably automotive and construction, continued to show weakness in consumption patterns. This reduced demand, combined with abundant supply availability, maintained steady downward pressure on prices. Both year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter comparisons indicated negative growth, underlining the sustained nature of market challenges. While pricing pressures were evident across Europe, Germany's market conditions proved particularly influential in shaping regional trends. In a result the combination of oversupply, weakened demand, and regulatory challenges created a consistently bearish pricing environment throughout the quarter.
APAC
The APAC Cold Rolled Sheet market demonstrated persistent weakness during Q1 2025, with prices in China settling at USD 561/MT, marking a 2.7% decline from the previous quarter. This downward trajectory reflects a complex interplay of market forces affecting the region. Additionally, China emerged as the primary price influencer, experiencing the most significant fluctuations throughout the quarter. The market faced multiple headwinds, including disrupted logistics networks, volatile raw material costs, and shifting international trade patterns. Traditional seasonal factors, including the off-season period and adverse weather conditions, added another layer of complexity to the already challenging market environment. Moreover, Consumption patterns showed notable weakness across key sectors. The combination of reduced demand and abundant supply availability created sustained downward pressure on prices. The bearish sentiment was further reinforced by broader economic uncertainties affecting the region. Furthermore, while price pressures were evident throughout the APAC region, China's market conditions dominated regional pricing trends. The confluence of supply-side challenges and weakened demand fundamentals maintained negative price momentum throughout the quarter, setting a bearish tone for the broader regional market.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
The North American Cold Rolled Sheet market witnessed a downward price trajectory throughout the quarter fourth of 2024. The quarter revealed a decline between its fourth and third quarter, reflecting significant market pressures. Additionally, the quarter was characterized by a clear supply-demand imbalance, with excess supply levels dominating market conditions. Global trade dynamics, particularly increased imports, created additional complexity in the market landscape.
Mexico emerged as the focal point of price movements within the region, experiencing the most substantial declines compared to the previous year. Key consuming sectors, notably automotive and construction, demonstrated weakened demand patterns. This reduction in consumption, combined with abundant supply, created persistent downward pressure on prices. The sequential quarterly decline highlights the ongoing challenges in stimulating market demand.
While the entire North American region faced pricing challenges, Mexico's market conditions proved particularly noteworthy. As a result, the combination of excess supply and weakened demand maintained consistent downward pressure on prices throughout the quarter, creating a challenging environment for market participants.
Europe
The European Cold Rolled Sheet market demonstrated significant weakness in Q4 2024, representing a decline from Q3. This downward movement reflects a confluence of challenging market conditions affecting the region. Additionally, Germany emerged as the epicentre of price movements, setting the tone for the broader European market. The quarter was characterized by persistent oversupply conditions, while demand remained subdued. Global economic uncertainties and ongoing geopolitical tensions further complicated the market landscape, adding to the bearish sentiment. Moreover, Key end-user sectors, notably automotive and construction, continued to show weakness in consumption patterns. This reduced demand, combined with abundant supply availability, maintained steady downward pressure on prices. Both year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter comparisons indicated negative growth, underlining the sustained nature of market challenges. While pricing pressures were evident across Europe, Germany's market conditions proved particularly influential in shaping regional trends. As a result, the combination of oversupply, weakened demand, and regulatory challenges created a consistently bearish pricing environment throughout the quarter within the European region.
APAC
The APAC Cold Rolled Sheet market demonstrated persistent weakness during Q4 2024, with prices in China, marking a decline from the previous quarter. This downward trajectory reflects a complex interplay of market forces affecting the region. Additionally, China emerged as the primary price influencer, experiencing the most significant fluctuations throughout the quarter. The market faced multiple headwinds, including disrupted logistics networks, volatile raw material costs, and shifting international trade patterns. Traditional seasonal factors, including the off-season period and adverse weather conditions, added another layer of complexity to the already challenging market environment. Moreover, Consumption patterns showed notable weakness across key sectors. The combination of reduced demand and abundant supply availability created sustained downward pressure on prices. The bearish sentiment was further reinforced by broader economic uncertainties affecting the region. Furthermore, while price pressures were evident throughout the APAC region, China's market conditions dominated regional pricing trends. The confluence of supply-side challenges and weakened demand fundamentals maintained negative price momentum throughout the quarter, setting a bearish tone for the broader regional market.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the North American Cold Rolled Sheet market experienced a period of decreasing prices, influenced by several significant factors. The market was primarily impacted by a supply and demand imbalance, with excess supply levels leading to downward pressure on prices. Weak demand from key sectors such as automotive and construction played a crucial role in driving prices lower. Additionally, global market dynamics, including increased imports and trade uncertainties, further contributed to the pricing decline.
In Mexico, the market saw the most significant price changes, with prices dropping compared to the same quarter last year. The quarter-on-quarter charge recorded a decrease, highlighting the continued negative trend. The price comparison between the first and second half of the quarter showed a decline, reflecting the sustained downward trajectory.
Additionally, the excess supply, coupled with weakening demand, is contributing to the overall pricing decline in the Cold Rolled Sheet market. Furthermore, the latest quarter-ending, signalling a persistently negative pricing environment in the region.
Europe
In Q3 2024, the Europe Cold Rolled Sheet market witnessed a continued decline in prices, reflecting a challenging environment marked by weak demand and oversupply conditions. Several factors influenced market prices, including sluggish demand in key sectors like automotive and construction, leading to subdued consumption of Cold Rolled Sheet. Moreover, the market faced headwinds from global economic uncertainties, ongoing conflicts, and regulatory challenges, all contributing to the negative price trends. Germany, experiencing the most significant price changes in the region, saw a notable decrease in Cold Rolled Sheet prices. Moreover, Overall trends indicated a negative change from the same quarter last year, with a further decline from the previous quarter in 2024.Additioanly, the correlation in price changes between the first and second half of the quarter remained decline, indicating a consistent downward trajectory. Moreover, demand for Cold Rolled Sheet in Germany continues to be weak, which is grappling with regulatory uncertainties. The quarter-ending in Germany, underscoring the prevailing negative sentiment and challenging market conditions.
APAC
The third quarter of 2024 for Cold Rolled Sheet in the APAC region has been marked by a significant decrease in prices, driven by a multitude of factors. The market has experienced a decline from the same quarter last year, with a further decline from the previous quarter. Additionally, the overall trend has been negative, with a decrease in pricing between the first and second half of the quarter.
China, as a key player in the region, has seen the maximum price changes, with prices declining consistently. Moreover, market dynamics have been influenced by a combination of increased supply, weakened demand, and global economic uncertainties. Additionally, the Cold Rolled Sheet market in China has faced challenges in logistics, raw material costs, and international trade dynamics. Furthermore, Seasonal factors, such as the off-season period and adverse weather conditions, have also played a role in the declining prices.
The latest quarter-ending price for Cold Rolled Sheet in China, reflecting the overall decreasing sentiment in the pricing environment.
FAQs
1. Why did Cold Rolled Sheet prices slightly decline in the USA during Q2 2025?
The Cold Rolled Sheet Price Index in the USA saw a mild quarter-over-quarter decline in Q2 2025, driven by moderate destocking, flat demand from the automotive sector, and slightly higher imports from Mexico and Canada. July 2025 prices remained under slight downward pressure as buyers delayed forward orders and end-user demand stayed cautious.
2. What caused the sharp drop in Cold Rolled Sheet prices in Malaysia in Q2 2025?
Malaysia experienced a 14% quarter-over-quarter decline in the Cold Rolled Sheet Price Index during Q2 2025. Oversupply from regional producers, reduced downstream demand from electronics and manufacturing, and aggressive import competition from South Korea and China contributed to the downturn. July 2025 saw further softness due to high inventories and weak restocking.
3. Did Cold Rolled Sheet prices increase in Germany in Q2 2025?
Yes, the Cold Rolled Sheet Price Index in Germany rose slightly in Q2 2025, supported by stable demand from automotive and engineering sectors. Limited imports helped local mills maintain pricing. July 2025 prices held flat, with mills implementing rollover strategies amid manageable stock levels and steady OEM orders.
4. What is the Q3 2025 demand outlook for Cold Rolled Sheet across key regions?
The USA continues to see restrained demand from consumer-related sectors. Malaysia faces a weak outlook with no signs of export-led recovery. Germany holds a cautiously optimistic view, underpinned by industrial stability in OEM and machinery sectors, though construction demand remains soft.
