According to understanding, the demand is weak now and customers can't accept high prices to purchase. Although it is off-season in the summer, the price continues to increase further. The present delivery period of local steel mills is very long and the earliest availability of goods is in the first quarter next year.

The prices of cold-rolled stainless steel in the European market rose by EUR 50/ton in the past week due to the tight supply situation.

Asia's offer is cheaper but it was still difficult to import from Asia. Due to safeguard measures and anti-dumping duties, there was a lack of overseas quotations from Asia. The shortage of materials was expected to continue further during the summer off-season and prices will remain high.