Podcast: European “pushback” on stainless price rises 

European distributors have “pushed back” on domestic mills’ stainless steel price rises as weak demand continues to squeeze their profit margins, a new MEPS podcast reveals.

The latest instalment of MEPS’s short ‘Market in Minutes’ podcast episodes – part of the Speaking of Steel series – shares insight into March’s increasingly subdued demand trend, which undermined mills’ attempts to realise higher prices. Steel market analyst Michelle Kirton presents the key points to managing editor Tom Sharpe in this seven-minute market summary. 

Kirton said that stainless steel demand has become increasingly subdued in Europe, reflecting increasing caution among market participants across the globe, in March. 

“Uncertainty was the keyword in last month’s research in almost every region we research and that’s because of the US trade tariffs,” she said. 

“While this won’t directly affect all the distributors and stockists [in Europe], it will affect end-users, and if they’re producing less and buying less steel that will have a knock-on effect.” 

Also discussed in this month’s Market in Minutes podcast on the European stainless steel market are: 

• Distributors’ and stockists’ profitability at risk
• Expectations that EU safeguard measures’ quotas will fill quickly, despite recent revisions
• The effect of the European Commission’s proposed “melted and poured” rule for steel imports
• A price outlook for the months ahead 

MEPS’s Speaking of Steel and Market in Minutes podcasts are available via all major podcast providers. Click on the below links to access this month’s episode. 

YouTube 

Spotify 

Apple Podcasts 

MEPS International's Stainless Steel Review provides subscribers with regular insight from the world’s largest stainless steel markets. The publication features market commentaries, stainless steel prices, indices and forecasts for Europe, Asia and North America. Contact MEPS for details of how to subscribe.