Hot-rolled (HR) and cold-rolled (CR) steel sheet prices in Russia's Central Federal District around Moscow rose on reduced availability and a seasonal demand rebound in the secondary market, sources told Fastmarkets on Monday February 11.
Fastmarkets' weekly price assessment for Russia-origin 4mm HR sheet was at 41,200-41,600 roubles ($627-633) per tonne cpt Moscow on Monday, including 20% VAT, up from 39,200-40,000 roubles per tonne week ago. "NLMK [Novolipetsk Steel - one of two major suppliers to the region] says it does not have March-rolled products for us, and is offering April-rolled material at a higher price," one trader told Fastmarkets. NLMK's HR sheet offers for non-stockists increased to around 41,600 roubles per tonne, sources said. The company is going to start reconstruction of blast furnace No6 at its Lipetsk site in May, Fastmarkets reported at the end of 2018. The furnace will be stopped for 130 days during the dismantling and rebuilding, which will reduce pig iron availability over that period, that will...