Posted on 14 Jan 2026
French long steel transaction prices remain mostly stable compared to December as the market slowly resumes after the winter break. Activity is being dominated by uncertainty and low visibility, with end users and customers unwilling to pay increases, Kallanish notes.
Coil derivatives are meanwhile ticking up, driven by pressure on coil prices and diminished exports. Sources say they expect a €20/tonne ($23.37/t) increase in January for sheets and strips, and a steeper hike on tubes.
However, a source notes that passing increases downstream remains challenging. Italian re-rollers were reported being particularly firm in December, refusing to grant concessions. One large buyer says he rejected these terms and instead sourced tubes from other European countries. At present, before further expected increases, hot rolled sheet prices are heard at around €700/t delivered in France.
In the longs sector, no hikes have yet been formally announced, though some are expected for merchant bar. Local prices are heard at €220-230/t base delivered. Mills, particularly Spanish suppliers selling into France, are said to be considering increases of €20-30/t.
Customers remain reluctant to accept hikes amid downstream resistance and weak demand. One longs buyer says he would accept a modest €5-10/t increase compared with pre-holiday levels, but no more.
Slight upticks are also expected for beams, potentially in the region of €10/t. First-category sections in France continue to trade at around €730/t delivered on average.
In December, some orders for French rebar were concluded at largely stable prices of €580-600/t delivered and prices remain stable for the moment.
French scrap values are increasing in line with the rest of Europe as new contracts are being signed. Scrap price increases are said to be significant this month, exceeding €15/t.
Source:Kallanish
