Posted on 05 Nov 2025
Italian wire rod prices have declined by around €20/tonne ($23.26/t) compared to early October, due to weak end-user demand and the ongoing structural downturn affecting drawing mills, market sources tell Kallanish.
Market activity remains subdued. Despite there being only limited import activity from outside the EU, the availability of lower-priced material procured from other EU countries has further pressured Italian domestic prices.
Several drawing mills are planning temporary layoffs or production cuts, with some preparing for extended shutdowns in December. Downstream, the galvanised wire sector continues to face a structural decline in consumption, as domestic producers struggle to compete against lower-priced imports, particularly from China. Two wire rod processors in the north have shut down production permanently, while additional processors have closed facilities, including nail and metal drying rack manufacturers.
In October, Turkish drawing-quality wire rod was sold into Italy at around €550/t cfr, alongside shipments from Northern Africa. Currently, domestic mills are selling drawing-quality wire rod at €570-575/t delivered, while buyers are pushing for levels closer to €550-560/t. Deliveries from nearby European suppliers have been reported at approximately €565/t delivered.
According to one market source, trading conditions remain stagnant, with customers purchasing only small volumes or deferring orders amid uncertain demand.
Meanwhile, northern European wire rod prices remained flat last week due to slow activity in the market. Domestic transaction values for drawing-quality wire rod were at €585/t ex-works, with mesh-grade wire rod at €565/t (see Kallanish 31 October).
Source:Kallanish
