Hyderabad, Dec 26 (KNN) The Association of Indian Forging Industry (AIFI) has urged the Centre to ban exports of steel and iron ore due to high prices which are hampering the growth of India's forging industry.

“Steel prices have increased by 25 to 30 per cent in the last three months, putting the forging industry at serious risk, particularly when we are still recovering from COVID-inflicted business losses and the resultant pressure on cash flow, and cash reserves. The industry is still going through a very difficult time and is not in a position to absorb losses. I believe that rising demand for steel, low steel production for the domestic market due to increased steel exports are the prime reasons for price hikes, said Vikas Bajaj, President, AIFI.

''The Forging Association requests the government to consider a ban on steel and iron ore exports so that demand of steel within the country can be met in a cost / price effective manner,” he added.

The association cited the Covid-19 disruption as a major factor that has affected the automobile industry, thereby the component suppliers and hence, the forging industry.

"While the industry was reviving post the pandemic, the increase in steel prices has hammered the forging industry in India," the association said.

"Forging steel manufacturers have hiked the price by 10 per cent over the last six months, and have now sought a further 15 per cent increase... the initial increase itself was all but impossible to sustain, the further increase will prove to be disastrous," it added.

Steel is the basic raw material for the forging industry and typically constitutes 60 to 65 per cent of the ex-factory value of forgings.

The association further said that with these two increases, this (ex-factory value of forgings) is expected to rise to around 75 per cent, with such an increase in percentage of the input cost, survival of the industry has become challenging.

Yash Jinendra Munot, Vice President, AIFI said “Export of steel is the major reason for the rate hike. Large mills are preferring to export steel to neighboring countries. Also, orders have been booked for Europe, the Middle East, etc., which is one reason for the shortage of steel in India. Thus, steel companies are in a position to increase prices at their will due to the gap in supply and demand.''

''The Government should consider banning the export of steel and Iron Ore for the next six to eight months or till such time that the local demand is met and should look at regulating steel prices for domestic consumption,'' Munot added.

Increased demand amid low allocation of production for the domestic market coupled with minimal imports due to import restrictions imposed by the Government of India, domestic steel manufacturers have increased the prices twice in the current quarter for forging quality steel

''Three times in the current month for other types of steel, bringing the benchmark hot-rolled coil prices in the wholesale market (ex-Mumbai) to Rs 52,000 per ton from only 36,500 per ton in July, that's a rise of 43 per cent, an indicator that the prices of forging quality steel will be further revised upwards in the immediate future in line with the increases in the prices in 'Hot Rolled Coil' prices," the association avowed.

As per the AIFI, price increases of steel in the domestic market are due to the increase in exports to neighbouring countries and resultant reduction in supply within the domestic market has resulted in Indian prices, moving contrarian to the prices of steel in the European and American markets.