Market update July 2026
Where the previous update was mainly dominated by CBAM and the initial unrest caused by the conflict in the Middle East, we are now seeing the consequences of this materialise more concretely throughout the supply chain. In addition, a new cost item for road transport in the Netherlands will take effect on 1 July, and we are entering the holiday period.
CBAM: price remains stable
The CBAM price for the second quarter of 2026 is expected to come in at €75.28 per certificate. This is virtually in line with the first quarter (€75.36), offering somewhat more stability than the earlier uncertainty surrounding its introduction suggested. For our customers, this means that CBAM-related costs will not change significantly this quarter compared to Q1.
Shortages in Asia due to the war in Iran
The war in Iran is now causing noticeable shortages in Asia on several fronts at once. First of all, there is a fuel shortage. In addition, tungsten, a raw material essential for the moulds used to produce bolts, is harder to obtain. Acid, used to clean raw material before further processing, is also only available to a limited extent.
We hope these bottlenecks will be resolved in the coming months, but for now this is causing considerable problems for our suppliers in the region.
Longer delivery times due to shortages and shipping disruption
The combination of the above shortages and the disruption in shipping traffic means we expect delivery times from Asia to increase significantly. Fortunately, we can absorb much of this with our own stock: where necessary, we fill gaps with available stock from Europe, keeping the impact on our customers to a minimum.
Kilometre charge for trucks from 1 July
From 1 July 2026, the kilometre charge for trucks will take effect in the Netherlands. This new charge results in increased costs for road transport, which will automatically also translate into higher transport costs within our sector. More information on this will follow at a later date.
Holiday period: Kobout remains available
We are entering the summer holiday period. Due to company closures at partners elsewhere in Europe, some products may temporarily be harder to obtain. Kobout itself will remain open and available throughout the entire holiday period for all your questions and orders.
Outlook
The situation in Asia, developments in shipping, and the new transport costs in the Netherlands together create a challenging third quarter. We are closely monitoring developments and will keep you informed as soon as more is known.