Iran’s imports of long products have fallen dramatically, raising concerns about the effects on inventory levels in the future.

China’s Laigang Yongfeng will increase its capacity by 1.87 million tpy with the addition of two continuous casters.

Metal Bulletin reviews the major stories affecting the steel market over the past week.

Demand was low last week in most global markets for steel billet, such as Turkey, Egypt and Southeast Asia, which led to cuts in prices in most regions.

Prices decreased in most markets last week, with demand for rebar remaining subdued in many regions, but a recovery in prices for semi-finished material in China led to improved sentiment in some countries later in the week.

Market participants contacted by Metal Bulletin disagreed on the outlook for the European rebar and wire rod market for May 2017.

The latest news and price moves to start the Asian day on Tuesday March 20.

Liepajas Metalurgs plans to resume production at the end November, a spokeswoman for the Latvian mill’s new owner, Ukrainian KVV Group, told Steel First on Friday October 3.

The Turkish long steel export market has remained sluggish because of the uncertainty created by the Section 232 tariffs imposed by the United States, and prices have started to fall, sources said on Thursday March 22.

Here are five Fastmarkets MB stories you might have missed on Friday April 12 that are worth another look.