EU STAINLESS STEEL PRICES SET TO FALL FURTHER IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS

摘要

Alloy surcharges charged by most stainless steel mills in the EU will decline over the March/ April period. This will be the result of lower ferro-chrome contract prices. We estimate that the figures used by the majority of steelmakers for grade 304 cold rolled sheet will fall to near 800 euros per tonne. This is a decrease of 150 euros on the January average value. It is reported that ferro-chrome contracts have been settled at approximately 0.8 US dollars per pound. This compares with the current number of just below 2 US dollars. Decreases in ferro-chrome costs affect all grades of stainless steel. This is unlike fluctuations in the nickel market which mainly influence austenitic grades.