The steel price development index remained at 48.4, with producer respondents having an average index of 53.3. A stability index of 50 indicates no expected change in prices.
"We expect demand in the market to remain low and for steel prices to either remain stable or experience a very marginal decrease," respondent said.
A second respondent agreed: "There is a perceived stability in prices with a slight tendency for them to decrease."
The volatility of the US dollar exchange rate has also been identified as an important factor in price expectations, with some respondents suggesting that it can significantly impact price stability or even lead to price increases.
