- Black coil imports surge on aggressive price corrections
- Semi-finished imports fall but remain above summer lows
SteelDaily: Indonesia’s stainless steel exports to Taiwan rebounded sharply in November after a temporary slowdown in October, supported by lower prices and improved buying sentiment. Taiwan imported 91,798 t of 300-series stainless steel from Indonesia in November, up 18.8% m-o-m, returning close to September levels after the prior month’s decline.
Black coil drives import growth
The recovery was largely product-specific rather than broad-based. Black coil imports surged 74.9% m-o-m to 52,620 t, marking the second-highest monthly volume this year. Market participants noted that black coil, being highly cost-sensitive, saw concentrated buying during the price correction phase, as falling offers prompted rapid restocking.
White coil, semi-finished products lag
In contrast, white coil imports declined 12.5% m-o-m to 19,216 t, though volumes remained relatively strong on a year-on-year basis. Imports of semi-finished products, including slabs and billets, fell 15.9% m-o-m to 22,320 t, but stayed above the lows recorded during July–August.
Price corrections revive buying interest
The November rebound was primarily driven by price adjustments. With nickel pig iron prices weakening, Indonesia’s Tsingshan has been gradually lowering its export offers for 304-series stainless steel since October. Cumulative price cuts reached around $50/t by November, easing affordability concerns and encouraging Taiwanese buyers to return to the market.
Outlook
Industry participants indicated that the rebound reflects the release of pent-up demand after inventories were worked down and high-price resistance faded. While domestic mills in Taiwan continue to raise self-sufficiency, imported black coils remain competitive under the current cost structure, supporting near-term import demand.
Note: This article has been published in accordance with a content exchange agreement between SteelDaily and BigMint.
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