According to Argus Media following an industry event in Düsseldorf, Italian and German steelmakers are signaling a new price increase for long products of €50-70 per ton. This primarily concerns rebar and related items, where producers aim to pass on rising energy and logistics costs to the market. Tightened EU domestic market protection mechanisms and expectations regarding the further impact of CBAM on imports remain additional support factors.
Current Market Price Benchmarks
German rebar producers are informing buyers that new offers including delivery will be around €710 per ton. This is approximately €50 per ton higher than the trading levels recorded over the last two weeks. Thus, the market is moving toward a new phase of price revision following the March price hike in Northern Europe.
In Italy, a major mill states that the increase is likely to exceed €50 per ton. A previous offer of €680 per ton ex-works, announced two weeks earlier, has not yet been accepted by buyers. However, the market is gradually preparing for these new levels to be agreed upon by mid-May.
Several factors work in favor of the producers. These include rising energy prices, increased logistics costs, and the strengthening of mill margins after previous rounds of price hikes. Market participants believe that the tightening of EU safeguard measures starting in July will further improve the position of European manufacturers in the domestic market.
Market Impact and Solutions from winox.ua
For buyers of long products in Europe, the current situation implies higher risks of further procurement budget increases in the coming weeks. Although significant stocks of imported products in certain markets still restrain the rapid acceptance of new quotes, the cumulative effect of CBAM, energy costs, and logistics is gradually shifting the balance in favor of local producers. This is particularly important for companies operating with regular contracts that cannot delay purchases for long.
In these conditions, the value of a predictable supply channel for metal products increases for industrial consumers. winox.ua, as a supplier of rolled metal, stainless steel, and non-ferrous metals, helps clients mitigate price volatility risks through reliable logistics and a steady supply of manufacturing materials. For the B2B segment, this means the ability to plan purchases more accurately and avoid downtime amidst an unstable European market.
This new wave of price increases also holds specific significance for Ukrainian metal exporters. On one hand, stronger prices in the EU can support the price environment for sales. On the other hand, regulatory barriers, decarbonization costs, and administrative requirements under CBAM complicate competition even with a more favorable market price.
Broader Context of the Rebar Market
March 2026 has already shown mixed dynamics in the global rebar market. The most notable growth was recorded specifically in the EU and Turkey, while US quotes declined and the Chinese market remained almost unchanged. This indicates a clear regionalization of price trends and a strong dependence of the European market on internal regulatory policies.
In Northern Europe, rebar prices in March reached €645 per ton ex-works, a 3.2% increase compared to the previous month. In Italy, the figure rose to €615 per ton ex-works, adding 11.8%. Current signals from manufacturers suggest that April and May could consolidate this upward trend if buyers accept the new offers.
For the market, this represents a transition from short-term tactical purchases to more cautious inventory planning. Companies consuming rolled metal in production should closely monitor European price dynamics and import conditions, as they increasingly influence the final cost of goods.