Flat Products Steel Prices In EU Now At Record Highs

摘要

Prices for flat rolled steel products in Europe have now in most cases reached their highest level in the last two decades. Our records, going back over this period, show that the previous peak for most categories was reached in the mid-or late-1980s. Since that time there took place a gradual and far from uniform erosion of prices. The upturn of the present cycle began hi early 2002, but then lost 3 little ground as a result of the market uncertainty caused by the outbreak of SARS disease in Asia in 2003. But the explosion of prices since then has driven the value of flat steel in Europe to its current record high. The following analysis looks at the German steel market, Europe's largest and discusses transaction prices. These are basis prices plus the extras applicable to the cheapest grade of steel (some-limes known as 'normal commercial quality') in standard product form and the most popular size range. Historical prices have been converted into Euros.