UK steel prices soar by 50% since Russia invaded Ukraine

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UK steel prices soar by 50% since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine due to surge in demand and producers absorbing higher energy prices

By Francesca Washtell, Financial Mail On Sunday

Published: | Updated:

UK steel prices have soared by 50 per cent since Russia invaded Ukraine due to a surge in demand and producers absorbing higher energy prices. 

The war has also led to buyers seeking alternatives to sourcing from Russian steel plants. 

A ton of rebar steel, which is used in construction, was worth £841 in February but estimated to be worth £1,298 this month, according to Kallanish Commodities. 

Feeling the heat: A ton of rebar steel, which is used in construction, was worth £841 in February but estimated to be worth £1,298 this month

Britain’s steel industry has struggled for more than a decade as cheaper Chinese steel has flooded the global market. 

The taxpayer was forced to keep British Steel afloat for months when it collapsed in 2019 before it secured a Chinese buyer. 

Experts said they expect prices to fall in the coming months, possibly to pre-war levels by the year end. 

Matthew Watkins, steel analyst at CRU Group, said: ‘This was a spike not a plateau. We’re moving into a phase where prices are dictated more by logic and less by emotion and panic.’

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