Taiwan’s carbon steel producer China Steel Corporation (CSC) has announced April leeway price increases that exceeded market expectations of NT$1,000-1,200 per ton, with the magnitude reaching a recent high.

Among them, hot-rolled products received the largest adjustment at NT$1,800, while cold-rolled, galvanized, and automotive steel grades were raised by NT$1,500, and electrical steel by NT$1,200.

The higher-than-expected increases reflected not only rising raw material and energy costs, but also widening arbitrage opportunities in the spot market and a surge in restocking demand. CSC had separately raised its April prime flat product prices by NT$1,000-1,200 per ton.

With flat product prices adjusted upward across the board, the near-term pricing outlook remains tilted to the upside.