<span>Against expectations, CIS slabs exporters have failed to close Q3 order books in early June. Moreover, most suppliers are playing a waiting game, analysing the market situation carefully. The exception is Alchevsk SW, whose products are available for export by $10/t higher than three weeks ago. <br> At the same time demand for slabs under long-term contracts is coming mainly from North America, SE Asia and India. Yet, even here buyers are purchasing the material carefully, waiting for alternative offers in the market. EU customers still stay on the sidelines, planning to start buying by the second half of June, to receive the material after traditional summer holidays. <br> Market players report Alchevsk SW is offering July-August output of slabs at $650-660/t FOB Black Sea. In particular, to North America the semis are available at $660/t FOB (about $685-690/t C&F), to SE Asia – at $650/t FOB ($695-705/t C&F). <br> At the same time Metinvest International S.A. plans to table quotations of Q3 production of slabs from Ilyich and Azovstal to Southern Europe in mid-June. Yet, market participants predict buyers from the region will accept prices at no higher than $650-660/t C&F ($620-630/t FOB). <br> ( Source: <a href="http://www.metalexpert-group.com/"><span><u><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">www.metalexpert-group.com</font></u></span></a> ) </span>