Major Taiwanese stainless steel makers, Yieh United Steel Corporation (Yusco), Walsin Lihwa, and Tang Eng, prepare to announce August product prices under heavy margin pressure. High raw material costs, pricey electricity, and a weaker local currency limit cost relief, even as international nickel prices soften.
Market demand remains sluggish. Global manufacturing recovers slowly, prompting downstream processing plants and exporters to rely mostly on inventory consumption and urgent short-term orders. Therefore, stainless steel mills face a dilemma between raising prices to cover production expenses or cutting rates to secure order volumes.
Market participants expect major producers to hold standard 300-series steel prices flat or offer individual negotiations, adjusting surcharges for high-end grade 316L only as molybdenum costs dictate. Producers aim to maintain distributor competitiveness and support customer order momentum through flexible pricing strategies.