Taiwan’s upstream stainless steel manufacturers Yieh United Steel Corporation (Yusco) and Tang Eng Iron Works Co., Ltd. (Tang Eng) issued flat pricing for July, concluding their consecutive price hikes from earlier this year. This pricing strategy reflected a strong US dollar and notable depreciation of the New Taiwan dollar, coupled with recent adjustments in global nickel values.
London Metal Exchange (LME) nickel prices rested at US$16,500 per ton. Meanwhile, input costs for key steelmaking raw materials, including nickel pig iron and international stainless steel scrap, are still at high levels. Rising global freight rates also bring financial pressure to factory operations.
As the industry enters the traditional third-quarter slow season, buyers maintain sufficient inventory from first-half purchases. Manufacturers are maintaining steady pricing structures to balance high raw material expenses against quieter summer market demand.