Demand: With evidence of full producer order books across the majority of country markets and steel product groups it looks like a strong finish to 2006 for the EU steel industry. Exports will not only be limited in scope but will remain unattractive relative to meeting strong domestic demand. However, there are concerns for early 2007 from the anticipated euro-zone tightening of both fiscal and monetary policies possibly affecting steel demand indicators. Supply: Up to the end of the 2006 steel demand and supply will be close to balance in most EU markets, with plate markets remaining particularly tight. There will, however, be a steady increase in imports, as the EU will replace the USA as the market of choice for producers in surplus.
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