- Nepal rebar cash prices fall NPR 2,000/t on subdued construction demand
- Need-based procurement, adequate material availability cap rebar prices
Nepal’s rebar market remained under sustained pressure this week, with cash transaction prices declining by NPR 2,000/t ($13/t) w-o-w to NPR 74,000/t ($479/t), while bank guarantee deals were concluded in the range of NPR 76,000-78,000/t ($492-509/t). The decline reflects persistent weakness in domestic demand, as construction activity across both public and private sectors continues to remain subdued. Buyers have largely adopted a cautious procurement strategy, purchasing only against immediate project requirements rather than building inventories, amid uncertainty over the pace of market recovery. Distributors also reported slower order inflows, with limited restocking activity across major trading hubs.
The weakness in Nepal’s long steel market was further reinforced by softer IF-EAF wire rod offers, which were reported at around $500/t CNF Raxaul. The decline in import offers indicates that regional steel demand remains sluggish, providing little support for domestic pricing. Market participants noted that sufficient material availability, combined with slow consumption, has intensified competitive pricing among suppliers.
Looking ahead, the market is expected to remain range-bound to weak unless construction activity improves significantly or government-backed infrastructure projects accelerate. In the absence of stronger demand or any meaningful increase in raw material costs, both rebar and wire rod prices are likely to remain under pressure in the near term, with cautious sentiment continuing to dominate trading activity.
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