SMM analysis projects iron ore prices to trend strong in September as steel mills complete maintenance and ramp up hot metal production, lifting ore demand. Rising coke prices are expected to add further cost support. Demand recovery is anticipated with the peak season, though overall upside may be capped by still-weak end-market conditions.
DCE iron ore futures closed higher with spot prices edging up across mainstream grades. Blast furnace operating rates dipped slightly week-on-week and daily hot metal output declined, but bottoming-out signals and improved market expectations lent support. Traders maintained steady shipments while steel mills held back on procurement, leaving spot trading sluggish.
| Product | Region | Incoterm Basis | Price | Last Updated Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merchant Bar | North America | FOB | USD 1,396.00/MT | July 2026 |
| Merchant Bar | North America | FOB | USD 1,362.00/MT | June 2026 |
Stay updated with the latest Merchant Bar prices, historical data, and tailored regional analysis
In Q1 2025, the European merchant bar experienced upward price pressures, led mainly by the volatility of steel and scrap markets. Although at the start of the quarter the market was quite flat with modest movements, especially in France where merchant bar prices remained stable, wider regional trends started moving upwards because of rising input costs and pressures from outside markets.
Steelmakers introduced modest price hikes on long products, such as merchant bars, due to increasing scrap prices and low availability of some materials. Germany and Austria experienced significant rises in scrap prices, with high demand from steel mills and strong export business to markets such as Türkiye. Simultaneously, United States protectionism and anticipated cutbacks in European safeguard quotas injected uncertainty and cost pressures at every stage of the supply chain.
Ultimately, increased energy prices, scrap scarcity, and depleted inventories added to greater producer pressure to raise prices at the end of the quarter. In spite of comparatively sluggish building activity and continued French construction sector weakness, merchant bar prices in Europe indicated the potential for price escalation. Market players pointed to increasing hesitation by buyers to buy at higher prices, but producers held firm because of rising production costs and compressing supply conditions.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, European merchant bar prices will stabilize over time as scrap availability continues to improve and market demand adjusts accordingly. Yet any additional regulatory developments or supply chain disruptions may affect near-term price dynamics.
Procurement Resource provides latest prices of Merchant Bar. Each price database is tied to a user-friendly graphing tool dating back to 2014, which provides a range of functionalities: configuration of price series over user defined time period; comparison of product movements across countries; customisation of price currencies and unit; extraction of price data as excel files to be used offline.
Need Latest Merchant Bar Prices?
Get real-time price assessments, periodic trends, forecasts and price driver insights across key global markets.
Our Clients
Turn price intelligence into action with the Procurement Resource Database. Log in or subscribe to unlock live price trends, historical charts, supplier databases, cost curves, and analyst-backed insights across chemicals, agriculture, energy, packaging, and more. Use these tools to benchmark your contracts, plan budgets with confidence, and stay ahead of market moves on every product you buy.
0
+Products
0
+Regions
0
+Subscriptions
Merchant bar is a category of hot-rolled steel products commonly used in construction, manufacturing, and fabrication. It includes flat bars, angles, channels, and rounds, which are essential for structural support, frames, and reinforcement. Known for their strength, versatility, and ease of welding and cutting, merchant bars are widely used in infrastructure, machinery, and general engineering applications. Their durability and availability in various sizes make them a practical choice for both industrial and commercial projects requiring reliable steel components.
ArcelorMittal S.A., Nucor Corp., Nippon Steel Corporation, Tata Steel Ltd., JSW Steel, Shagang Group Inc., Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)
CurrencyUS$ (Data can also be provided in local currency)
Supplier Database AvailabilityYes
Customization ScopeThe report can be customized as per the requirements of the customer
Post-Sale Analyst Support360-degree analyst support after report delivery
Note: Our supplier search experts can assist your procurement teams in compiling and validating a list of suppliers indicating they have products, services, and capabilities that meet your company's needs.
Merchant bars are widely used in industrial applications due to their strength, versatility, and ease of fabrication. They are essential in the construction of machinery frames, support structures, storage racks, and equipment bases. In manufacturing, merchant bars serve as key components in the production of tools, ladders, trailers, and conveyor systems. Their use extends to infrastructure projects, including bridges and industrial buildings, where structural integrity is crucial.
Our Price Analysis Methodology
Team Lead - Market Research
Leading procurement-focused market intelligence across chemicals, composites, advanced materials, aerospace & defense, and energy, delivering commodity forecasts, supply chain analysis, and competitive benchmarking to support sourcing decisions.
Experience how Procurement Resource transforms raw material price data into clear, decision ready intelligence. Optimise your performance with reliable, expert market data and analysis. Schedule your demo today to experience a live walk-through where our experts will showcase interactive price charts, forecasted prices, and insights driving the prices for your key commodities, tailored to your workflows. Contact us now!
Our Team will be happy to assist you
We are just a text away
Still Need Help?
Unlock full access to Procurement Resource's price databases, interactive charts, and short-term forecasts for thousands of commodities. Elevate your sourcing decisions by comparing prices across regions, downloading historical data, and layering in analyst-backed insights, all with our flexible plans that scale as your portfolio grows.
Still have any Questions
Contact Us
Price Trend Dashboard - What's Included
Price trends across a diverse portfolio of categories and products, spanning board to niche chemicals
Coverage extendable to grade-specific chemicals based on procurement requirements
Regular price tracking supported by robust historical datasets
News, policy updates, and key market drivers impacting price movements
Short-term and long-term price outlooks and forecasts
Supply–demand dynamics and capacity-driven market analysis
Track prices, market movements, supply-demand dynamics, and industry developments across hundreds of commodities through a centralized intelligence platform built for informed procurement decisions.
Understand market fluctuations using analyst-backed forecasts, historical pricing patterns, and evolving industry trends to strengthen sourcing strategies and budget planning.
Leverage cost models, pricing benchmarks, and procurement insights to evaluate purchasing opportunities, improve negotiations, and enhance operational efficiency.
Access region-specific price trends, trade activities, capacity changes, and supply chain developments influencing commodity markets worldwide.
