Billet: Billet prices remained unchanged. Increased supply on the commodity exchange coupled with declining rebar demand led to price stability
Long Products
Rebar: While the market opened with a sense of optimism, weak demand eventually pushed rebar prices downward.
I-beam: Despite various market-making efforts, the persistent lack of demand forced I-beam prices lower.
Flat Products
HRC: HRC prices have hit rock bottom. Although supplies from the Saba Steel plant slightly calmed the market, the "dormant demand" remains unsatisfied.
HRP: Limited supply prevented a price drop for Oxin plates, even in the face of weak market demand.
CRC: Supply constraints successfully drove up prices for CRC.
HDG: Supply shortage made HDG upward too.
Weekly Analysis:
In the world market: The global market is currently grappling with a recession fueled by oil supply concerns and tensions in the Persian Gulf. Steel producers, who were banking on robust demand from the Middle East, have now adopted a "wait-and-see" approach due to the regional conflicts.
Furthermore, the surge in oil prices has led to a dual pressure:
• Rising Logistics Costs: Increased freight and transportation expenses.
• Higher Production Costs: Elevated energy inputs for manufacturing.
Consequently, as markets remain stagnant and operating costs climb, demand has retreated. Buyers are staying on the sidelines until the outlook for the oil market becomes clearer.
In the domestic market: On the supply side, there is a surplus of pellets and DRI, along with idle capacity for billet production. Consequently, supply of long products faces no constraints. However, demand remains on the sidelines. While an influx of demand will inevitably shift prices, the magnitude of this change will depend strictly on current inventory levels.
The market is contending with rising operational costs and increasing liquidity. Current industrial processes do not suggest a price decrease; rather, any upward movement in the price of sections will depend on the timing and volume of incoming demand.
The fundamental conditions for steel sheets mirror those of long products, though the impact is more pronounced due to the vast scope of downstream industries. We must wait until mid-May for genuine demand to manifest in the market.
The most critical challenge today is the liquidity crunch. Should this issue be resolved, the market is poised for a significant recovery and boom.
CBI average ex-rate: Rials 1,408,775 / 1USD
27 April, 2026
M.Chitsaz
Iran Steel News Bulletin
IFNAA.IR
IRSTEEL.COM