During this period, steel port departures from China's main ports totaled 2.9672 million mt, up 9% WoW.

[SMM Steel] SEAISI expects ASEAN steel demand to continue improving in 2026, with apparent steel consumption forecast to reach 87.9 million tonnes, up 2.6% YoY and 8.2% higher than 2024 levels. ASEAN steel imports remained high at around 50 million tonnes in 2025, while import penetration stayed above 60%, continuing to pressure local producers. Vietnam remained the region’s strongest growth market, with steel demand rising over 21% in 2024. SEAISI also warned that the Iran conflict could create energy-related risks for ASEAN steel markets, as the region remains heavily dependent on Middle Eastern energy supplies. Meanwhile, ASEAN steel exports are expected to remain elevated at around 22 million tonnes in 2025, supported by Indonesia’s expanding HRC capacity.

[SMM Steel] Ukraine’s containerized ferrous metal shipments by rail reached 10,400 TEU in Q1 2026, down only 3% YoY, while exports accounted for 77% of total volumes. The share of western border crossings surged to 96% from 66% a year earlier, as drone attacks on Danube ports sharply disrupted southern export routes. Containerized steel exports via Danube ports fell 93% YoY to just 116 TEU in Q1. Mostyska II on the Poland border became the key logistics hub, handling 45% of total ferrous metal container traffic. Ferrous metals accounted for 15% of Ukrainian Railways’ total container shipments in Q1, second only to agricultural cargo.

【SMM Steel】The US Department of Commerce announced in its final AD administrative review ruling that certain corrosion-resistant steel products from South Korea were not sold at prices below normal value in the US market during the July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 review period. The products are flat-rolled steels coated with zinc, aluminum, or their alloys, in coils or straight lengths. By concluding no dumping occurred, the USDOC confirms these South Korean steel exports complied with fair trade standards. Products covered under numerous HTSUS numbers.

[SMM Steel] Australia launched an anti-dumping probe into Vietnamese galvanized steel imports involving Hoa Sen and Nam Kim, with alleged dumping margins up to 56.21%. In 2025, Vietnam’s galvanized steel exports to Australia rose 24% YoY to US$29.5 million, while hot-rolled section exports surged 105% YoY to US$48.5 million. The US continues imposing AD duties of up to 130% on Vietnamese rebar and nearly 163% on coated steel, while the EU is tightening quotas and implementing CBAM.

US steel exports totaled 611,043 net tons (nt) in March 2026, reflecting a 6% increase from February but a 2.1% decrease compared to March 2025. For the first quarter of 2026, total exports reached 1.76 million nt, down 3.8% year-on-year. Canada remained the largest destination with 294,625 nt (+5% from Feb), followed by Mexico with 222,086 nt (+1% from Feb). The monthly rebound suggests a modest recovery in cross-border manufacturing demand within North America, yet the overall quarterly decline highlights a softening in international appetite for US-produced steel amid high domestic price premiums compared to global benchmarks.