Some of the flat steel import prices in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia decreased slightly over the past week amid lower offers and weak demand, sources said on January 19.
Demand was weak in both countries because buyers were unsure of the direction of prices, sources said.
India, one of the biggest exporters of flat steel to Gulf countries, did not send any new offer prices this week because of strong demand in the local Indian market, sources in the UAE said.
Offer prices from China - another big exporter of flat steel to the UAE and Saudi Arabia - however, decreased by a minimum of $10 per tonne this week for hot-rolled coil (HRC).
UAE
China offered HRC at $790 per tonne cfr this week, falling from
$800-830 per tonne cfr offered last week.
One buyer believed $770-780 per tonne cfr would be...