Italian beam prices are foreseen to weaken in September, industry sources tell Kallanish. So far beams have been the only stable long product in the country. However, “… the first signals of fragility” are being detected.

Local producer Stefana’ market share has been replaced by foreign players and Italy has absorbed material from other European countries, especially Spain. “In this market and with raw materials’ prices so low at an international level, it was already a great result that beam prices have held so far but this cannot last forever. The context is just not favourable,” one sales executive comments.

Some end-users are beginning to negotiate harder on beams and if the situation persists after the summer maintenance breaks, the distribution sector won’t be able to pay the current price. Beam quotations may then surrender €10/tonne ($11/t), sources suggest.

For July category 1 beam prices have been stable and are being sold in Italy at €500/t ($553/t) delivered Northern Italy – this increases by €20/t for each subsequent category. Some category 1 transactions are also showing €510/t, sources suggest.