According to the published HRC market review, in April 2026, global prices were shaped by diverse regional factors: quotes in the USA and China continued to rise, while the EU internal segment remained unstable due to weak demand and more expensive imports. For consumers and traders, this dynamics serves as a key indicator for import benchmarks, procurement planning, and metal processing margins.
Prices in the EU, US, and China: Key Signals for April
In Europe, the situation was contradictory. Internal HRC prices in Western Europe decreased by 0.7% to €710/t ex-works between April 3 and May 8, while in Italy, the drop reached 2.2% to €675/t ex-works. At the same time, import offers rose by 16.5% to €635/t CIF, reaching €650/t by late April—the highest level since January 2024.
The European market was supported by expectations regarding reduced imports following the launch of CBAM and quota reductions; however, actual consumption remained weak. Service centers and tube companies primarily purchased only minimal volumes for current needs. Additional pressure came from aggressive price cuts by certain mills attempting to maintain production capacity.
The US market remained one of the strongest globally. HRC offers in April rose by 2.9% to $1163/t ex-works, a peak since the start of 2024. Main drivers included consistent price hikes by producers, limited spot availability, longer lead times, and steady demand from construction, engineering, and HVAC manufacturers.
The Chinese market showed the most active growth among key regions. In April, export offers rose by 7.2% to $520/t FOB, the highest since July 2024. Support was provided by futures, expectations of new stimuli in the PRC, inventory reductions, and a partial shift in capacity toward slab production, though physical demand grew much slower.
Impact on the Metal Market and Solutions from winox.ua
The current picture indicates that the global HRC market is entering a phase of increased volatility. In the EU, prices are capped by weak consumption, but imports are becoming costlier due to logistics, quotas, and trade restrictions. In the US and China, the market is bolstered by limited supply and raw material factors, maintaining upward pressure.
For businesses, this underscores the need for more careful procurement planning, especially in segments sensitive to import parity and logistics. In such conditions, a reliable supplier like winox.ua becomes vital, providing predictable deliveries and quality control. winox.ua offers industrial rolled metal, stainless steel, and non-ferrous metals focusing on supply stability and balanced pricing.
It is important to note that rising global quotes do not always translate directly into physical demand. As seen in China and the EU, buyers are increasingly resisting high prices, and processors have limited ability to pass cost increases to final products. For B2B consumers, contract flexibility, product availability, and supply chain stability are just as important as current prices.
What to Expect in the Coming Months
In the short term, the global market will likely remain heterogeneous. In Europe, import restrictions and quotas may support prices, but weak demand from construction and service centers will hinder a full recovery. This means the EU market lacks a solid foundation for a quick upward turn.
The upward trend in the US persists due to spot shortages and strong domestic consumption, though further growth might increase import activity. In China, high raw material costs and futures still support the market, but slowing physical demand and potential stock accumulation could cool the dynamics. Market participants must review procurement strategies frequently, focusing on supply channel reliability.