Taiwanese steelmaker China Steel Corporation (CSC) has increased flat steel prices for May deliveries, citing rising raw material costs and improving market conditions.
Hot rolled plates and coils (commercial and rerollable grades) and commercial grade cold rolled coils were increased by TWD 1,200 (USD 38) per ton, while galvanized, electro-galvanized and electrical steel prices were raised by TWD 1,000 (USD 32) per ton.
CSC said global economic conditions are gradually improving, supported by steady expansion in US manufacturing, easing inflation in Europe and policy-driven demand recovery in China. In Taiwan, export momentum remains firm, driven by strong demand from technology-related sectors.
The company added that geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to support elevated oil prices, increasing freight and energy costs. Iron ore prices have stabilized at USD 100-110 per ton, while coking coal has risen to USD 230-240 per ton, adding to cost pressures.
CSC noted that major global steelmakers have raised prices in response to higher costs. Nucor has increased prices for the thirteenth consecutive week, with domestic HRC prices reaching around USD 1,150 per ton, a two-year high. In Europe, prices have exceeded USD 820 per ton amid production cuts and import quotas. In Asia, mills such as Baosteel and Hoa Phat have also announced price increases.
Since the start of the year, international prices for hot rolled and cold rolled products in Asia have increased by more than USD 100-120 per ton, while domestic downstream prices in Taiwan have risen by TWD 3,500-4,000 (USD 111-127) per ton, reflecting strong upward momentum in both regional and global markets.
CSC said the price adjustments reflect higher raw material and energy costs as well as firm demand conditions during the seasonal peak period.
China Steel Corporation (CSC) is Taiwan’s largest integrated steel producer, established in 1971 and headquartered in Kaohsiung. The company has a total consolidated steel production capacity is approximately 15.9 mln tons per year, including subsidiaries such as Dragon Steel. CSC produces a wide range of flat and long steel products.
1 USD / 31.5 TWD
