Flats: Vietnam’s import market for commercial-grade hot-rolled coil rebounded in early April, but then slowed in late April. Buying interest has subsided as ASEAN buyers have sufficient inventory in an unstable market.

Longs: The Southeast Asian rebar import market turned from weak to strong in April. Rumours that China would regulate steel exports that do not pay value-added tax at the end of April caused the market to rise rapidly.

Semis: The ASEAN billet market saw fierce competition between Chinese products and ASEAN products in April. Weak rebar sales prices in regional markets also hampered billet orders.

BF Raw Materials: Seaborne iron ore prices saw a pickup in trading and prices in April. In particular, the demand for replenishment at the end of April provided support to iron ore prices. Market participants expect demand to continue to improve in May, holding stronger raw material prices.

EAF Raw Materials: In the latest Kanto Tetsugen monthly scrap export tender, which opened on 10 April, Toyota Tsusho Material was awarded 15,000t of Japanese H2 grade scrap at JPY 51,087 ($336/t) fas. This is JPY 987/t ($7) higher than last month’s tender price of JPY 50,100/t on 12 March. 

Country Trade Data:

• Singapore
• Thailand
• Philippines
• Malaysia
• Indonesia
• Vietnam

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