Yieh United Steel Corp. (Yusco), a leading stainless steel manufacturer in Taiwan, announced its sixth consecutive price hike for May, raising the price of 304 stainless steel by NT$4,000 per ton. This continuous upward trend has resulted in a total increase of NT$23,500 over the past half-year. Other products also had adjustments, with 316L surcharges up by NT$1,500 per ton and 430 series rising by NT$500 per ton.

Strong export performance driven by AI technology demand provides a sturdy foundation for these adjustments. However, supply chain pressures remain the primary driver. The implementation of the new Mineral Benchmark Price (Harga Patokan Mineral, or HPM) mechanism in Indonesia and mining quota shortages have tightened raw material availability.

Coupled with rising energy costs and higher freight rates due to geopolitical tensions, production expenses for steel mills have risen significantly. These cumulative factors force the manufacturer to raise its prices to manage the intensifying financial burden on operations.