The price increase is likely to be accepted by buyers by mid-May

Italian and German steelmakers have signaled to buyers that prices for long products will rise by €50–70/ton. This was discussed at an industry event in Düsseldorf last week, according to Argus Media.

German rebar producers have informed buyers that offers will rise by €70/t higher than trading levels over the past two weeks.

A major Italian mill stated that the price increase is likely to exceed €70/t.

Steel mills are under pressure from rising energy costs. At the same time, mills’ margins have increased following the recent product price hikes, and this trend is likely to continue amid tighter import protection, which strengthens European producers’ positions in their home market.

A significant price increase could trigger a loss of orders due to substantial inventories of imported products still present in many European markets. However, the combined impact of importers’ CBAM costs, the tightening of new EU protective measures starting in July, and rising energy and logistics costs will ultimately compel buyers to accept the new price levels—this view was expressed by participants at an industry event.

A representative from one of the plants suggested that a significant price increase will likely be accepted by mid-May. Buyers also noted that they are prepared for a further rise in prices on top of what has already been accepted since the start of the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East.

As a reminder, the global rebar market showed mixed trends by region as of the end of March 2026. The most significant price increases were observed in the EU and Turkey, while prices in the US fell, and the Chinese market remained virtually unchanged. In the European Union, rebar offers rose last month to above annual highs. In Northern Europe, prices reached €645/t ex-works, up 3.2% from the previous month, and in Italy, €615/t ex-works (+11.8%).

Source – Yermolenko, H. (2026). European steelmakers have announced price increases for long products – Argus. [online] GMK. Available at: https://gmk.center/en/news/european-steelmakers-have-announced-price-increases-for-long-products-argus/ [Accessed 27 Apr. 2026].

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