Algeria's steel billet import market is set for dramatic changes in the next couple of years, largely as a result of the country's fast-growing local steel industry.

China has restarted its steel exports, driving out global competitors from various Asian import markets while domestic prices dip.

Sabic Hadeed expects local steel consumption to increase gradually over the next 10 years thanks to stronger demand from the private sector and not only via government spending or the oil sector, the state-owned Saudi Arabian steel producer said at Fastmarkets’ Middle East Iron and Steel conference in Dubai last week.

The Wuhan coronavirus will likely influence fundamentals in China’s steel market and Chinese export trends in the near future, sources told Fastmarkets this week.

Buying activity in the European long steel markets is likely to remain cautious because of weak demand and relatively high stock levels among consumers, market sources told Metal Bulletin this week.

Spot demand for imported ferrous scrap in key Asian market Vietnam slowed in the week to Friday June 19 after buyers noted a dip in prices from the middle of the week.

Metal Bulletin will not publish certain price assessments for steel and ferrous scrap products in the Middle East and Turkey during the period August 20-24, 2018, because of the religious Eid al-Adha public holidays.

Participants in the European long steel markets expect consumption to rise once the weather improves in April, but the outlook for prices appears to differ between Northern and Southern Europe, market sources told Metal Bulletin this week.

Rebar prices in the Brazilian domestic market were unchanged in August amid rumours of a potential upswing.

Here are five Fastmarkets MB stories you might have missed on Thursday November 28 that are worth another look.