The steel industry enters 2026 with optimism as supply constraints and rising costs lift market prices. China’s new export licensing system expects to cut low-priced shipments by more than 20 million tons, allowing Taiwan’s steel giants like China Steel Corporation (CSC) and Chung Hung to regain pricing power.

In addition, leading stainless steel producers Yieh United Steel Corp. (Yusco) and Tang Eng raised their prices for January due to tighter Indonesian nickel ore quotas. Their ability to pass on raw material costs suggests that profit margins will improve this quarter.

In the long products segment, Feng Hsin recently raised rebar prices after eight-week flat prices. Despite slower domestic housing demand, high scrap costs are forcing construction companies to restock, sustaining momentum for the electric furnace leader.