SteelMint learned in recent conversation with market participants that Pakistan steel market remains dull on the depressing ongoing situation. Almost 50% of furnaces and many rerolling mills in the country are still closed amid poor economic stability. While major steelmakers stand slow going amid the possibility of production cuts to avoid forecasted losses on high production cost and weak demand at the moment.
Imported scrap offers continue downward correction. Offers for containerized Shredded 211 from Europe and UK heard in the range USD 325-330/MT, CFR Qasim. Minor trades for European containerized shredded scrap was concluded at around USD 325-327/MT, CFR Qasim during closing last week.
Moreover, Dubai origin HMS 1 is being offered in the range of USD 320-325/MT, CFR Qasim. Most of the buyers are waiting before making new purchases.
Local scrap remains a preference over imported scrap amid cost effectiveness – According to sources, local scrap prices have come down by around PKR 3500-4000/MT (USD 25-29) in last one weeks’ time. Local scrap equivalent to Shredded stands at around PKR 52,000-53,000/MT (USD 374-377) including all taxes. Some buyers are likely to prefer cheaper local scrap for time being expecting a further correction in global prices.
“Local scrap is cheaper by around USD 20/MT over imported” shared a source.
Sentiments in Pakistan’s local steel market remain bearish – The current situation of steel markets is likely to prevail till the end of December, which may also extend till mid of Jan 2019. December month is a closing month for most of audits and seasonality concerns may affect activities further.
Many of the construction projects of CPEC which are on hold right now, will be starting from the next month after clearing audit from New Government. It is expected that recommencement of high rise building construction would generate some movement in upcoming days and the Government would start metropolitan intercity projects in the upcoming months, which will help steel markets to stable down again in Pakistan.
In Punjab region, average selling rates of branded deformed bar assessed in the range PKR 96,000-97,000/MT, ex-works, down PKR 1,000/MT as against last report varying on quality and thickness. In Sindh region price assessed at PKR 99,000-100,000/MT, ex-works. Deformed G-60 bar prices heard in the range PKR 100,000-101,000/MT, ex-Karachi inclusive of taxes.
SteelMint’s local steel price assessment –
| Average Prices, Ex-work Punjab and Lahore, inclusive of taxes | ||||
| Particular | 17-Dec’18 | Last assessment on 10-Dec’18 | W-o-W Change | |
| PKR/MT | USD/MT | PKR/MT | PKR | |
| Local Scrap (Equivalent to Shredded) | 52,500 | 376 | 56,500 | -4000 |
| Bala (Local Billet) | 70,000 | 503 | 73,000 | -3000 |
| CC Billet (Grade 40) | 77,000-78,000 | 554-561 | 79,000 | -1500 |
| CC Billet (Grade 60) | 78,500-79,500 | 565-572 | 80,500 | -1500 |
| Deformed bar (G-60) | 96,000-98,000 | 690-705 | 97,000-98,000 | -1000 |
Source: SteelMint Research, USD/PKR = 139
Ship breaking market turns inert – According to reports, Gadani market observes very quiet ending of the year with local yards witnessing no significant deal since reopening on tankers. Buyers have continued to stay away from negotiations for any expensive vessels arriving locally. Ship breaking price assessment reported at around USD 405/LT for dry bulk cargo, at USD 425/LT for containers and USD 415/LT for tankers.
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