Indonesian HRC Seizes Opportunity in Vietnam
[tintuc]
Indonesia's hot-rolled coil (HRC) industry is reaping significant benefits as Chinese HRC faces a potential exit from Vietnam's import market, driven by a looming anti-dumping investigation. According to industry sources, Indonesian mills have secured robust export sales to Vietnam in recent weeks, capitalizing on the shifting trade dynamics.
Two Indonesian mills reportedly sold approximately 250,000 tonnes of SAE1006/SS400 HRC with a 3mm base thickness at $503-508 per tonne CFR Vietnam for December/January shipments. Mid-September saw multiple orders at $503-505 per tonne CFR, with prices climbing to $507-508 per tonne CFR by the week ending September 19, 2025. Suppliers are now targeting $510 per tonne CFR for January shipments, though demand in Vietnam softened last week, with some traders noting that buyers are aiming for December deliveries even in January-shipment contracts.
A Vietnamese trader remarked, “Customers’ price expectations are low, around $500 per tonne, compared to offers at $510 per tonne CFR.” For larger orders exceeding 10,000 tonnes, suppliers may accept $508-510 per tonne CFR, influenced by a recent dip in Chinese steel futures. Smaller orders of around 1,000 tonnes closed at $512 per tonne CFR last week, though such prices are less feasible for bulk orders where buyers negotiate lower rates. Indonesian mills, with export markets primarily in Vietnam and the EU, are also contending with available December stock cargoes, which may dampen demand for January bookings at higher prices.
A Tier 1 South Korean mill reportedly sold 30,000 tonnes of 2-3mm thickness SAE1006 HRC for November shipment at $505-510 per tonne CFR Vietnam, with 30% of the volume being 2mm thick. Kallanish assessed SAE-grade 2-2.7mm thickness HRC at $505-510 per tonne CFR Vietnam, a slight increase from $505-508 per tonne the previous week.
Meanwhile, deals for 2-meter-wide 3mm base Q235 HRC for prompt shipment before November 15 were concluded at $496-497 per tonne CFR. Offers for these products are now at $497-499 per tonne CFR, though bids last Friday were lower, ranging from $490-492 per tonne CFR, according to Vietnamese trading sources.
The potential exit of Chinese wide-width HRC from Vietnam stems from a trade petition filed by local producers, prompting an anti-dumping investigation by Vietnamese authorities. This development has opened doors for Indonesian and other non-Chinese suppliers to fill the gap.
Indonesia's hot-rolled coil (HRC) industry is reaping significant benefits as Chinese HRC faces a potential exit from Vietnam's import market, driven by a looming anti-dumping investigation. According to industry sources, Indonesian mills have secured robust export sales to Vietnam in recent weeks, capitalizing on the shifting trade dynamics.
Two Indonesian mills reportedly sold approximately 250,000 tonnes of SAE1006/SS400 HRC with a 3mm base thickness at $503-508 per tonne CFR Vietnam for December/January shipments. Mid-September saw multiple orders at $503-505 per tonne CFR, with prices climbing to $507-508 per tonne CFR by the week ending September 19, 2025. Suppliers are now targeting $510 per tonne CFR for January shipments, though demand in Vietnam softened last week, with some traders noting that buyers are aiming for December deliveries even in January-shipment contracts.
A Vietnamese trader remarked, “Customers’ price expectations are low, around $500 per tonne, compared to offers at $510 per tonne CFR.” For larger orders exceeding 10,000 tonnes, suppliers may accept $508-510 per tonne CFR, influenced by a recent dip in Chinese steel futures. Smaller orders of around 1,000 tonnes closed at $512 per tonne CFR last week, though such prices are less feasible for bulk orders where buyers negotiate lower rates. Indonesian mills, with export markets primarily in Vietnam and the EU, are also contending with available December stock cargoes, which may dampen demand for January bookings at higher prices.
A Tier 1 South Korean mill reportedly sold 30,000 tonnes of 2-3mm thickness SAE1006 HRC for November shipment at $505-510 per tonne CFR Vietnam, with 30% of the volume being 2mm thick. Kallanish assessed SAE-grade 2-2.7mm thickness HRC at $505-510 per tonne CFR Vietnam, a slight increase from $505-508 per tonne the previous week.
Meanwhile, deals for 2-meter-wide 3mm base Q235 HRC for prompt shipment before November 15 were concluded at $496-497 per tonne CFR. Offers for these products are now at $497-499 per tonne CFR, though bids last Friday were lower, ranging from $490-492 per tonne CFR, according to Vietnamese trading sources.
The potential exit of Chinese wide-width HRC from Vietnam stems from a trade petition filed by local producers, prompting an anti-dumping investigation by Vietnamese authorities. This development has opened doors for Indonesian and other non-Chinese suppliers to fill the gap.
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