GLOBAL SLAB OUTLOOK: Price trend uncertain despite reduced material availability

摘要

The beginning of June was marked by reduced availability of steel slabs in the global market. Despite this, forecasts for price trends were mixed, taking into account the different factors influencing the various regional markets.The Brazilian steel market was hit by a national truck drivers' strike which lasted from May 18 until May 31.The majority of slab producers were affected by the protests, especially by the resulting critical shortages of raw materials, which forced steelmakers to reduce production.