Steel prices — primarily that of rebars, hot-rolled coils and cold-rolled coils – are set for a hike this month pushing the costs of automobiles and home construction upwards.

While rebars and hot-rolled coils are expected to see around ₹3,000 per tonne price hike (up 2-2.5 per cent), the prices of flat products are up ₹5,000 per tonne. Steel-mills have asked for ₹10,000–11,000 per tonne price hike from automakers during contract negotiations.

Contracts are mostly going to be “for a three-month period” considering the volatility in steel prices, a senior official of an Indian steel-major said. In a month, the flat product prices are reportedly up by ₹10,000 a tonne.

Previously, these would be six-month contracts. The last price revision for automobile steel contracts were in October 2021.

While the hot-rolled coils (HRC) are quoting in the range of ₹76,000-80,000 per tonne, the rebar price stands at ₹75,000-76,000 a tonne and cold-rolled coils around ₹85,000-86,000 per tonne.

Steel prices in India have been at an all-time high over the last few months following supply shortages in Australian coking coal. Floods in Australian mines have hit supplies with prices varying between $600- $700 per tonne in March. Other input costs like iron ore, coal, refractories, graphite electrodes, and energy costs have also surged.

The shortage in European markets due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war had impacted steel prices. Spot prices in Europe are $200 more than those of India, indicating the price pressures.

Car makers hike prices

Auto original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like Maruti, Tata, Toyota and Hero are likely to hike prices from April onwards.

Tata Motors has already announced hike in its commercial vehicles price by 2-2.5 per cent, depending upon the individual model and variant. The new prices will come into effect from Friday.

“The increase in the prices of commodities such as steel, aluminium and other precious metals, in addition to higher costs of other raw materials, has incited this price hike,” the company said.

Similarly, Hero MotoCorp said it will make an upward price revision (by up to ₹2,000) in the ex-showroom price of its motorcycles and scooters, effective April 5.

MSME contracts

According to VR Sharma, MD of Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL), the MSME contracts will also be reviewed and re-negotiated.

Incidentally, the Steel Ministry had earlier asked Indian steel mills to offer discounts to MSMEs. Accordingly, around ₹2000–3000 per tonne as discount was offered to small scale industries .

“There will be some discount being offered to MSMEs based on the volumes they order,” spokesperson of a steel-major said.

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