Import prices for stainless steel in East Asia edged down again over the past week, with the downtrend in nickel contributing to a reduction in trading activity.
Buyers remained in wait-and-see mode because of the nickel situation, while some sellers were willing to accept lower prices to secure more orders, sources said.Fastmarkets' weekly import price assessment for benchmark 304 stainless 2mm trimmed cold-rolled coil in East Asia was $2,040-2,130 per tonne cif on Wednesday March 20, down $10-20 per tonne from $2,050-2,150 per tonne cif.Fastmarkets' weekly import price assessment for benchmark 304 stainless trimmed hot-rolled coil in the same region was $1,920-2,000 per tonne cif on Wednesday, narrowing downward...