Following output increases in the third Quarter of 2009, analysts predict that europe's major stainless steel producing mills will reduce output in Q1 2010 by upto 20%.  The move is expected due to the less than optimistic market outlook for 2010 and recent sharp fall in demand.  EU steel prices are also expected to fall early in 2010, as in comparison to Asia prices they remain expensive and there is the prospect of losing market share to Asian imports without price corrections.