<span>Demand for CIS longs remains weak in most of sales markets, but exporters stay optimistic as they have sold the greater part of August output by now. Only some customers in the Middle East, Western Africa and SE Asia are showing interest in the material. EU buyers do not plan new purchases yet, though the stronger euro has played into suppliers' hands. <br> Export quotations of CIS products in the Azov-Black Sea region are still mainly supported by the upward policy of Turkish sellers in both domestic and export markets and low supply of August production. In particular, long steel of Ukrainian origin has added $5-15/t in a week. <br> Demand for rebar in Northern and Western Africa remains feeble, while in the Middle East only Iraq needs import material (that from Ukraine in particular). In Lebanon, where demand for rebar remains strong, prices from ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih ($730-735/t FOB or $790/t C&F incl. 5% duty) are unworkable, taking into account that material from Egypt is available at $770/t C&F. Having stocked up with Turkish products, Syrian customers are in no hurry to buy again, preferring local rebar. <br> The situation in the wire rod segment is somewhat better, yet foreign buyers still reject higher offers. Deals for Ukrainian products are reportedly being made at prices by $5-10/t lower than initial ones. <br> At the same time, the upward trend seen in the export market in mid-July was obviously a surprise to Moldova SW. As reported earlier, the supplier closed a number of contracts for August production of wire rod at relatively low quotations ($730/t FOB). Now, Moldova SW has decided to revise contract prices, traders say. Citing lower supply to the export market in view of complicated transportation (lack of rolling stock), the seller has not only put prices for the material up by $10/t post factum, but also cut the supply. <br> Quotations of Russian mills’ wire rod in the Far Eastern market have been hovering at $695-700/t FOB for the second week in a row. In particular, the latest transactions for August material from Evraz Holding and Amurmetall have been within the above price range. <br> Demand for CIS wire rod in the Caspian region has become better too: August output from MMK has been reportedly sold at $750-760/t FOB, by $25-30/t higher than July production. <br> Export quotations in the structurals segment have been unchanged so far; yet, they are expected to go up soon on limited supply. Some suppliers reportedly have a large number of orders left for August due to production problems. As reported earlier, to EU buyers products made to EN are available by $15/t higher. <br> ( <span> </span>Source: <a href="http://www.metalexpert-group.com/"><span><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">www.metalexpert-group.com</font></span></a> )</span>