Global Rebar Prices Rise Up To 6% In May As Regional Markets Split

📈 Global rebar prices moved higher across major markets in May, rising between 0% and 6% month-on-month, according to GMK Center’s latest market analysis. The strongest gain was recorded in Italy, where average prices increased by 6%, while Northern Europe also strengthened by 5.1%. The overall picture points to a market that is improving on headline prices, but still far from a broad-based demand recovery.

🏗️ Europe showed the clearest price support as mills defended higher offers, citing energy costs and margin pressure, while seasonal construction activity and infrastructure projects helped absorb part of the increase. In the United States, average rebar prices rose 1.2% in May, supported by producer price hikes, limited import availability, tariffs, logistics costs and demand from infrastructure, energy and data centre projects. However, distributors still reported uneven activity, with private non-residential construction remaining soft.

⚖️ The weakest market was Turkey, where average prices rose only 0.1% from April as weak demand, buyer resistance and competition from Algeria, India and China limited any meaningful upside. China’s rebar prices averaged higher in May, but the market weakened later in the month as rain disrupted construction activity, property demand stayed weak and rising mill output increased oversupply risks. Looking ahead, the article suggests prices may stay firm in some regions but remain under pressure where construction demand is not strong enough to support further increases. 💼