Upstream Taiwanese stainless steel mills will release their January stainless steel prices soon. Market analysts believe that upstream Taiwanese stainless steel mills are certain to open at higher stainless steel prices for January next year.

LME nickel futures prices have surged to US$15,786, a significant increase of US$950 from the end of last month. The average price this month is US$14,652, stabilizing from the average price of US$14,670 last month.

Raw material prices have generally risen, with nickel prices surging. Meanwhile, the international stainless steel market has strengthened, and Indonesia's Tsingshan has raised prices four times recently. Furthermore, with China implementing an export license system starting next year, the outlook for stainless steel is positive.

Asian stainless steel cold-rolled coil prices have rebounded this month, and both futures and spot prices in China have risen dramatically. For new stainless steel prices for January in Taiwan, it's just a question of how much higher.