Taiwanese stainless steel mills may implement larger price increases than originally expected for January 2026. This change occurred after Indonesia Tsingshan raised its export prices twice in December, resulting in a total rise of US$60 per ton in purchasing expenses.

China’s upcoming export licensing policy, effective in January next year, further tightens regional supply and pressures raw material expenses.

Market participants indicated that domestic price increases in January might range from NT$2,000 to NT$3,000 per ton, surpassing the rises in December.

Downstream demand remains cautious, while the combination of high production costs and currency fluctuations triggered a recent wave of inventory restocking. Stainless steel manufacturers must now balance these rising overheads against the need to sustain order momentum as the new year begins.