For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• The Steel Rebar Price Index in North America declined by approximately 1.4% quarter on quarter in Q2 2025, reflecting growing supply surpluses as downstream demand softened.
• Steel Rebar Production Cost Trend: Raw material and freight costs eased modestly—scrap and coke inputs declined slightly, and logistic pressures softened in late Q2—providing some relief to producers, though not enough to offset price stability concerns.
• At the start of the quarter, the Steel Rebar Price Index was supported by rebound in domestic production and renewed competition from imports (especially South Korea) due to low antidumping margins, increasing availability and pressuring prices.
• By mid quarter, domestic raw steel output rose (capacity utilization nearing 76–79%), while import competition intensified, widening the supply and demand gap and further dragging down rebar prices, especially in Illinois markets.
• By the end of the quarter, elevated inventories and cautious buying behavior kept downward pressure on the Price Index, with weekly spot prices in Illinois falling steadily through late May and June into the low to mid USD 850 900/MT range.
• Steel Rebar Demand Outlook: Construction sector demand weakened throughout the quarter, with many developers delaying or scaling back projects; Nucor’s drastically reduced earnings in Q1 2025 signal subdued market conditions and ordering hesitancy.
Why did the Steel Rebar price change in July 2025 in North America?
In July 2025, U.S. rebar producers including Nucor Bar Group, Gerdau Long Steel North America and Deacero/Mid Continent implemented price increases of about USD 60/ton (roughly 8.5%) effective mid July, pushing Steel Rebar Price Index upward as buyers accelerated purchasing amid anticipation of sustained supply constraints and higher tariffs
APAC
• Steel Rebar Price Index in APAC declined by about 1% quarter on quarter compared to Q1 2025, reflecting ongoing oversupply and softer demand dynamics.
• Steel Rebar Production Cost Trend: Input costs especially scrap and pig iron remained elevated into the start and mid quarter, squeezing producer margins. However, slight easing in logistics costs toward the end of the quarter provided limited relief.
• Demand was modestly improving due to seasonal construction and infrastructure activity, particularly seen in Taiwan where shipment growth in MONTH on month led to cautious optimism. But demand remained muted in China and other economies, keeping overall uptake subdued.
• Manufacturing & Supply Dynamics: At the start of the quarter, Taiwanese mills such as United Steel Corp. raised rebar prices for a second consecutive period due to cost pressures, even as Chinese imports weighed on domestic supply later in the quarter. Inventory levels remained elevated in major APAC producing centres.
• Steel Rebar Price Forecast: With persistent surplus and sluggish off take in key markets, prices are expected to remain soft into the medium term unless government stimulus or export demand picks up significantly.
Why did the price of Steel Rebar change in July 2025 in Asia?
In July 2025, the Steel Rebar Price Index rose modestly compared to Q2 levels. Early July data from China showed domestic rebar prices increasing in the first ten days, signaling tighter conditions in Chinese domestic markets. Globally, steel futures settled slightly up from June averages, representing a small uptick ≈ +0.7% seen on July 18 and 25. Contributing factors included renewed buying activity ahead of expected production cuts in coke and coking coal, which spurred cost pressures and supported prices in Asia.
Europe
• The Steel Rebar Price Index in Europe declined by approximately 7.3% in Q2 2025 compared to Q1, reflecting a weakening market.
• Steel Rebar Production Cost Trend remained relatively stable; declining scrap prices and logistical improvements provided slight relief, yet oversupply and trade competitiveness continued to pressure cost recovery.
• Steel Rebar Demand Outlook softened throughout the quarter, particularly in private construction sectors across Germany, Italy and France, as activity slowed due to seasonal weakness, excess inventories and subdued investor sentiment.
• Supply-side dynamics in the region showed heightened pressure from cheaper imports (notably from Turkey, Algeria and Egypt), and maintained high availability of domestic output, further contributing to downward momentum.
• By the end of the quarter, excess stock levels, persistent low demand and holiday season lull kept downward pressure on the Steel Rebar Price Index.
• Steel Rebar Price Forecast for the medium term suggests prices are likely to remain subdued unless summer draws down inventories or demand from infrastructure projects picks up—no immediate rebound is expected.
Why did the price change in July 2025 in Europe?
In early to mid July 2025, European steel rebar prices edged slightly lower as demand dwindled further into the summer holiday period. Weak purchasing sentiment, export competition, stable or rising availability and minimal urgency from buyers all constrained upward moves.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
• The Steel Rebar Price Index in North American market settled at the end of Q1 2025 at USD 929/MT Ex Illinois, showing a 5% increase in comparison to Q4 2024, indicating a bullish pricing environment.
• Why did the price of Steel Rebar change in April 2025?
Steel Rebar Prices increased in early April 2025 due to consistent supply chain disruptions and stronger demand from industrial and construction sectors.
• Steel Rebar Spot Price increases were supported by limited imports, port congestion, and import restrictions, all contributing to constrained supply across the region.
• The Steel Rebar Production Cost Trend saw an upward push due to logistical inefficiencies and rising freight rates, compounding supply-side challenges.
• Domestic demand from manufacturing and infrastructure development showed strength, positively shaping the Steel Rebar Demand Outlook for the region.
• The USA reported the sharpest price escalation in Q1, reinforcing strong regional demand coupled with supply limitations.
• The Steel Rebar Price Forecast for Q2 2025 suggests that prices may remain elevated if import restrictions persist and infrastructure projects gain further momentum.
Europe
• The Steel Rebar Price Index in Europe (Germany) reached USD 873/MT FD-Ruhr by the end of Q1 2025, up 4.3% quarter-on-quarter, maintaining a firm upward trajectory.
• Why did the price of Steel Rebar change in April 2025?
Prices of Steel Rebar increased in early April 2025 as a result of continued operational disruptions, elevated freight costs, and new environmental regulations impacting producers.
• The Steel Rebar Spot Price rose amid constrained product availability due to port congestion, equipment shortages, and long shipping routes.
• The Steel Rebar Production Cost Trend moved upward due to compliance with the EU Emissions Trading System, adding further financial strain on manufacturers.
• Demand stayed moderate, but tight supply provided significant support to the Steel Rebar Demand Outlook, particularly in construction-heavy economies like Germany.
• Plant-level issues and regional infrastructure commitments continue to influence pricing positively.
• The Steel Rebar Price Forecast suggests further increases are likely in Q2 if current supply bottlenecks and regulatory costs remain persistent.
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
• The Steel Rebar Price Index in APAC concluded Q1 2025 at USD 458/MT Ex Shanghai for HRB400 – 8 mm, reflecting a 2.3% drop compared to the previous quarter.
• Why did the price of Steel Rebar change in April 2025?
Prices of Steel Rebar decreased entering April 2025 in Asia due to oversupply, slower demand recovery, and weak construction sector performance in key markets like China.
• The Steel Rebar Spot Price was weighed down by sluggish off-take in domestic and international markets, with China dominating the region’s pricing trajectory.
• Despite rising energy and raw material costs, the Steel Rebar Production Cost Trend was overshadowed by falling market prices due to surplus inventory.
• The Steel Rebar Demand Outlook remains bearish, as ongoing economic uncertainties and stagnating real estate sectors continue to undermine consumption.
• Persistent oversupply and insufficient stimulus for infrastructure weighed down market confidence throughout Q1.
• The Steel Rebar Price Forecast for Q2 2025 remains soft unless government intervention or export-driven recovery is initiated.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
The North American Steel Rebar market faced significant headwinds during Q4 2024, with prices ending at USD 806/MT Ex Illinois in the USA—marking a 3% decline from the previous quarter. This sustained downward trend highlights ongoing challenges in regional market dynamics, with the USA, as a key regional indicator, experiencing the sharpest price movements.
The persistent decline in steel rebar prices was driven by weak demand fundamentals alongside persistent oversupply conditions. Reduced consumption patterns across construction and infrastructure sectors exacerbated the negative pricing environment, while abundant material availability further weighed on market sentiment. Prices consistently deteriorated throughout both halves of the quarter, signalling deep-rooted structural issues in the balance of supply and demand.
Market participants across North America found themselves grappling with these pressures, as the combination of sluggish demand and excess inventory created significant barriers to price stabilization. The consistent quarter-long downtrend reflects broader industry challenges, with little relief in sight unless a major correction occurs in either supply-side dynamics or a revival in regional demand.
Europe
In Q4 2024, the Europe region witnessed a decline in Steel Rebar prices, driven by a combination of factors. Global disruptions, contributed to supply challenges, while weakening demand in the construction sector, exacerbated by regulatory uncertainties and high interest rates, further dampened market conditions. Furthermore, the market also faced pressure from oversupply, with production cuts by steelmakers failing to offset the downward price trend. Additionally, Germany, in particular, experienced significant price fluctuations, reflecting the broader European trend. Moreover, Within Q4 2024, prices remained stable initially but decreased by 3% in the second half of the quarter, highlighting the downward trajectory. The market sentiment remains bearish, with expectations of continued low demand. Furthermore, the demand for Steel Rebar in Germany has declined due to economic challenges and changing consumer behaviour during the summer holiday period. The quarter ended with Steel Rebar prices at USD 806/MT FD-Ruhr, Germany, underscoring the prevailing negative sentiment and indicating a generally bearish pricing environment.
APAC
The APAC Steel Rebar market experienced downward price movements throughout Q4 2024, driven by a confluence of persistent oversupply, lower demand, and rising input costs. This challenging environment exerted continuous pressure on pricing, creating a bearish market sentiment for the region. Additionally, China, as the region's largest producer and consumer of steel products, played a significant role in shaping the overall market trends. Steel Rebar prices in China saw a decline of 0.8% quarter-on-quarter, reflecting the broader challenges troubling the APAC market. Weakened demand, fuelled by global economic uncertainties and a slowdown in construction activity, coupled with increased supply levels, influenced the pricing environment throughout the quarter. The market closed the quarter with the price of Steel Rebar (HRB400 - 8 mm) Ex Shanghai recorded at USD 478/MT, underscoring the persistent downward pressure. Market players across the region struggled to navigate the pricing dynamics amid a complex mix of oversupply and subdued consumption patterns, further weighed down by economic constraints rippling from the global landscape.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
The third quarter of 2024 for Steel Rebar in North America has been marked by a notable decrease in prices, with significant factors influencing market trends. Additionally, weak demand, coupled with excess supply, has created a challenging environment for steel rebar pricing.
In the USA specifically, the market has experienced the most significant price changes. Furthermore, the overall trend in the region has been negative, with prices declining compared to the same quarter last year. Additionally, the quarter-on-quarter change in 2024 also showed a decreased trend, indicating sustained downward pressure on prices. Moreover, the comparison between the first and second half of the quarter revealed a further 1% decline, highlighting a consistent negative trend in pricing.
The latest quarter-end price stands at USD 871/MT of Steel Rebar (8 mm) Ex Illinois in the USA, reflecting the prevailing bearish sentiment in the market. Overall, the pricing environment for Steel Rebar in the North America region has been challenging, with prices consistently on a downward trajectory.
APAC
Throughout Q3 2024, the Steel Rebar market in the APAC region has experienced a period of decreasing prices, influenced by a combination of factors. Additionally, the market has been notably affected by persistent oversupply, sluggish demand, and rising input costs. Moreover, these challenges have created a downward pressure on prices, leading to a negative trend in the pricing environment.
In China, which has seen the most significant price changes, the Steel Rebar market has reflected overall trends in the region. Additionally, the comparison between the first and second half of the quarter revealed a decline of 3%. Furthermore, market dynamics have been influenced by a combination of increased supply, weakened demand, and global economic uncertainties impacted the prices of Steel Rebar.
The latest price recorded at USD 465/MT for Steel Rebar (HRB400 - 8 mm) Ex Shanghai in China signifies the prevailing decreasing sentiment in the market, highlighting the challenges faced by industry players in navigating pricing dynamics amidst a complex operating environment.
Europe
In Q3 2024, the Europe region witnessed a decline in Steel Rebar prices, driven by a combination of factors. Global disruptions, such as conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, contributed to supply challenges, while weakening demand in the construction sector, exacerbated by regulatory uncertainties and high interest rates, further dampened market conditions. Furthermore, the market also faced pressure from oversupply, with production cuts by steelmakers failing to offset the downward price trend.
Germany, in particular, experienced significant price fluctuations, reflecting the broader European trend. Additionally, Within Q3 2024, prices remained stable initially but decreased by 2% in the second half of the quarter, highlighting the downward trajectory. Moreover, the market sentiment remains bearish, with expectations of continued low demand. Furthermore, the demand for Steel Rebar in Germany has declined due to economic challenges and changing consumer behaviour during the summer holiday period.
The quarter ended with Steel Rebar prices at USD 818/MT FD-Ruhr, Germany, underscoring the prevailing negative sentiment and indicating a generally bearish pricing environment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q1: What is currently driving steel rebar prices in different regions?
Global prices are primarily driven by strong demand from infrastructure projects and urban development, especially in Asia Pacific. However, regional factors like import tariffs, raw material costs, and local construction activity also play a significant role.
Q2: Who are the major steel rebar producing regions, and what are their market dynamics?
Asia Pacific, led by China and India, dominates production due to rapid urbanization and infrastructure development. North America and Europe also have significant markets, driven by government infrastructure investments and renovation efforts.
Q3: How does construction activity impact global steel rebar demand?
Construction activity is the primary driver of steel rebar demand globally. Increased investment in residential, commercial, and public infrastructure directly boosts the need for rebar as a critical reinforcement material.
Q4: What are the main challenges and opportunities for the global steel rebar market in the coming years?
Opportunities lie in continued infrastructure spending and urbanization in emerging economies. Challenges include raw material price volatility, high energy consumption in production, and trade protectionist measures.
