According to market data published on April 2, 2026, global hot-rolled coil (HRC) prices rose in most key regions by 1-6% month-over-month in March. By the end of the first quarter, current offers already exceed late 2025 levels by 3-15%, signaling a market recovery after a weaker previous period. However, the dynamics remain uneven: the strongest growth is recorded in the EU and the US, while China shows significantly more restrained movement.
Regional Price Dynamics and Key Growth Drivers
The European market became the main driver of the March increase. In Western Europe, HRC prices rose by 5.9% between February 27 and March 27, reaching €715/t ex-works, while in Italy, quotes climbed to €685/t ex-works. The primary reasons were disruptions at specific plants in Spain and France, lower volume availability in Southern Europe, and extended lead times.
In the US, the market also continues its upward trajectory, but on a slightly different basis. March HRC prices rose by 3.3% to $1,118.8/t, supported by sequential price hikes from producers, limited spot sales, and shipment delays. Additionally, the market is bolstered by steadier domestic demand, as distributors report more active inventory replenishment and relatively healthy capacity utilization.
China, by contrast, remains the weakest link among major regions. Export price growth in March was only 1%, reaching $485/t FOB, as slow demand recovery after the holidays and high inventories in certain regions hold back further movement. Even support from raw material markets and futures has not yet changed the overall picture of weak end-consumption.
Impact on the Steel Market and Solutions from winox.ua
For industrial consumers and traders, the current situation highlights the importance of timely procurement and accurate inventory planning. In Europe, the potential for further price increases seems limited by weak demand and accumulated stocks in the distribution chain, but short-term market resilience persists due to supply shortages and regulatory uncertainty surrounding CBAM. In the US, the upward trend may also continue, though the growth rate will likely slow if buyers become more cautious about accepting new price levels.
For Ukrainian companies working with flat-rolled products, these trends create additional risks for procurement budgets, delivery times, and contract planning. In such conditions, winox.ua, as a supplier of rolled metal and industrial solutions, helps businesses reduce operational risks through reliable supplies, more predictable assortment management, and professional procurement support. When the market reacts to supply deficits and logistical disruptions, a stable supply channel becomes just as important as the price itself.
The import factor plays a distinct role as well. In the EU, import pressure is easing due to CBAM uncertainty, the exhaustion of certain quotas, and expectations of a new protective regime. In the US, the competitiveness of external supplies is reduced by high freight costs, conflict in the Middle East, and risks of logistical delays. This means that for metal buyers, supply chain reliability is becoming a top priority alongside price quotes.
What This Means for Procurement in the Coming Months
The current quarter begins with the HRC market having moved away from the lows of late 2025, yet lacking a uniformly strong foundation across all regions. The EU and US show price support driven by supply constraints, while China continues to balance within a narrow range due to weak demand and difficult export conditions. This divergence in regional trends may continue to influence trade flows and price expectations in adjacent flat-product segments.
For manufacturing enterprises, service centers, and traders, this necessitates careful monitoring not only of exchange and spot indicators but also of indirect factors: energy costs, freight, lead times, and regulatory changes. These parameters currently determine the real cost of procurement just as much as the base HRC price. Accordingly, the market is entering a period where contractual flexibility and high-quality collaboration with suppliers like winox.ua are becoming critical for industrial business success.