The publication of Fastmarkets’ assessments for MB-IRO-0002 Pig iron export, fob main port Black Sea, CIS, $/tonne; MB-IRO-0014 Pig iron import, cfr Italy, $/tonne; and MB-FE-0004 Hot-briquetted iron, cfr Italian ports, $/tonne were delayed on Thursday March 5 because of a reporter error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated.

Brazilian BEK prices remained influenced by seasonal demand patterns, currency movements and buyer inventory strategies, as early signs of the Middle East conflict impact on pulp markets emerged through logistics and cost considerations.

Fastmarkets has suspended its pricing for Iran steel billet and slab exports following the escalation of the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran and because relevant, relative pricing data is not immediately available.

Fastmarkets published its assessment of the MB-STE-0232 steel scrap No1 busheling, consumer buying price, delivered mill Chicago, $/gross ton on Thursday March 5, 2026.

Fastmarkets is inviting feedback from the industry on the pricing methodology for its steel reinforcing bar (rebar), domestic, delivered Saudi Arabia price, as part of its annual methodology review process.

Roughly 40,000 tonnes per month of copper cathode that once flowed smoothly into the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through Jebel Ali had few options to reroute after the Strait of Hormuz officially closed on Monday March 2, with the only alternative entry points — Khor Fakkan and Fujairah — already straining under the weight of diverted cargo, market sources told Fastmarkets.

The US military is seeking proposals to expand domestic production of 13 critical minerals used in defense and high‑tech applications. The initiative aims to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains amid heightened geopolitical tensions and growing risks to global commodities trade.

Effective March 5, Fastmarkets has removed the synthetic history added to European cartonboard prices and US kraft paper in October 2023, to improve the quality of the dataset.

Feedstock markets extended gains on Thursday February 26 as compliance optimism and stronger energy fundamentals continued to fuel buying interest.

Here are the key takeaways from market participants on US ferrous scrap metal prices, market confidence, inventory and more from our March survey.