According to IREPAS, the level of uncertainty in the global long products market has increased significantly due to the ongoing war in the Middle East. IREPAS noted that although supply chain disruptions and rising energy prices have led to higher prices, demand remains stagnant as the duration and potential spread of the conflict remain unknown.
The EU market is facing regulatory and price pressures
European factories reacted by raising prices; however, IREPAS points out that this did not cause panic buying, as the market is only slowly recovering from the winter season. In addition, imports into the EU have become extremely risky due to the lack of clarity in CBAM regulation and the continuation of protective measures after June 2026.
In Turkey, local construction remains slow, and export volumes have fallen by 20 percent year-on-year. Turkish factories are currently adjusting capacity utilization in response to weakening demand.
The outlook remains unstable
Concluding its assessment, IREPAS described the current state of the market as unstable, stressing that widespread protectionism and geopolitical tensions have made the outlook completely unpredictable.
