Middle East and North Africa hot rolled coil prices are largely unchanged this week, although import prices have declined, Kallanish notes.

Saudi Arabian producer Hadeed has pegged SAE 1006 re-rolling grade 3mm and up HRC offers at SAR 4,087.5/tonne ($1,090), while 2mm product is at SAR 4,162.5/t ($1,110) delivered within Saudi Arabia for October delivery.

3mm and up SS400 grade HRC is at SAR 4,162.5/t ($1,110), while 2mm product is at SAR 4,237.5/t ($1,130) delivered. 2mm and up S235 grade HRC is meanwhile quoted at SAR 3,937.5/t ($1,050) delivered.

Hadeed’s prices exclude 15% VAT. Subject to customer, volume, and payment, a SAR 75-300/t ($20-80/t) discount can be agreed. The firm is expected to carry out scheduled maintenance on its hot strip mill within the next month, but this is not expected to disrupt deliveries, local sources say.

This week, Indian mills are quoting S235/SAE 1006 grade 2mm and up HRC at $950/t cfr Dammam/Jebel Ali, for September shipments, down $15/t on-week.

In Iran, Mobarekeh Steel is quoting 1.2-2mm SAE 1008 grade equivalent HRC at IRR 273,394/t ($995) ex-works, excluding 9%VAT. The producer is not quoting to export markets this week.

The Egyptian mill’s export quotes are at $1,080/t fob Damietta for 2mm and up S235 grade HRC, $1,090/t fob for 2mm and up S275JR grade HRC, and $1,110/t fob for 2mm and up S335JR grade HRC. S235 HRC of 1.1-1.2mm thickness is meanwhile offered at $1,160/t fob, sources confirm.

When selling to Saudi, freight [container 20 DC] costs $85/t from Suez ports to Dammam, while clearance and transportation cost within the kingdom comes to SAR 75/t ($20). Egypt-origin product is exempt from the 15% Saudi duty on HRC imports.

Saudi business volume is low and CIS offers are expected along with lower Indian quotes in the coming days, local sources say.