India: Weak Demand Weighs on Sponge Iron Prices

Sponge iron prices have been experiencing a decline in the range of Rs 100-300/ton, which is mainly attributed to the continuous downturn in steel prices in northern India, particularly in Mandi, Gobindgarh (Punjab). This has led to low spot transactions, forcing sellers to reduce their offers due to a slight increase in selling pressure.

The current unpredictable market scenario has resulted in caution among market participants, leading to limited enquiries and slow movement in finished steel products.

The market remained slow, and sellers were not keen on reducing offers as they had made ample bookings over the past few days in the central region.

However, Eastern region markets observed highly volatility as in Rourkela, suppliers maintained offers on the higher side due to good orders in hand. Whereas, the market remained slow in Durgapur due to subdued demand, and sellers reduced offers by Rs 100-200/ton.

In Ramgarh, buyers appeared to be less interested in the high price variations. Southern region observed slow demand, resulting in a drop in sponge iron prices and buying activity remained subdued.

The industry has been struggling to maintain production levels, and this has led to a decline in steel prices. The ongoing situation has also impacted the sponge iron market, resulting in a decline in prices.

Challenges To Run Plant

The decline in sponge iron prices has been a cause of concern for the industry. Sponge iron is a critical raw material in steel making, and any fluctuations in prices can impact the overall cost of production. The industry is also facing other challenges, such as high raw material costs and low demand, which have further impacted the profitability of the sector.

Insight

The continuous decline in sponge iron prices across regions in the domestic market letting buyers loosing buying confidence in the market. The industry needs to adopt innovative strategies to overcome these challenges and maintain its growth trajectory in the long run.

Read more: Steel Import And Export In India From January 2022 To January 2023