Nepal: Long steel prices show mixed trends w-o-w amid muted demand, supply disruptions

• • Rebar prices remain stable despite cautious market sentiment

• • Wire rod prices rise amid supply disruptions from India

Nepal’s domestic rebar market remained stable w-o-w, with cash transaction prices holding at NPR 74,000/t ($506/t). Material sold against bank guarantees continued to command a premium at NPR 76,000-78,000/t ($519-532/t).

Despite price stability, overall market sentiment remained cautious as construction activity and end-user demand stayed subdued. Market participants indicated that buying interest is still limited, suggesting that prices could gradually soften if demand fails to improve.

In contrast, the IF-EAF wire rod market strengthened during the week. Supply constraints, primarily caused by reduced material availability and disrupted shipments from India, tightened spot availability in Nepal. As a result, wire rod prices improved to around $510/t CNF Raxaul, with suppliers maintaining firm offers amid limited inventories.

Going forward, the Nepal long steel market is expected to remain mixed. Rebar prices are likely to face downward pressure due to weak consumption, while wire rod values may remain supported in the near term unless Indian supplies normalise and logistics improve.