According to SteelOrbis, the first half of April saw a continued rise in slab quotes across all major regional markets, with increases ranging from $15–20 per tonne. The highest price levels were recorded in Brazil, where export offers reached $605/t FOB, a two-year high. For metallurgical and processing plants, this translates into further pressure on the cost of hot-rolled coils and other steel products, particularly amidst volatile logistics and shifting supply chains.
Regional Price Dynamics and Trade Flow Shifts
In Brazil, the export price of slabs increased by $15 in early April, reaching $605/t FOB. Analysts point to currency dynamics, specifically the devaluation of the US dollar against the Brazilian real, as an additional support factor. However, the country's exports remain volatile: in March, they dropped by 63% month-on-month to 298,000 tonnes, primarily due to lower shipments to the US.
Brazilian producers are directing part of their volumes to the domestic market to support rolling operations at CSN and Usiminas. According to the Brazil Steel Institute, local plants increased slab production by 12% in February compared to January, reaching 608,000 tonnes. Furthermore, Brazilian material is gaining a competitive edge in the EU market following the launch of the CBAM mechanism, which is already reflected in shipments to France and Germany.
In the Black Sea region, average FOB quotes rose to $483/t in early April, up from $478/t at the end of March. The primary drivers remain the global upward trend and high freight rates. For industrial consumers, Black Sea prices serve as a critical benchmark, directly influencing procurement decisions and the export competitiveness of steel manufacturers.
In Turkey, TUIK data shows that slab imports fell by 56% in February compared to January, dropping to 133,000 tonnes, while domestic production rose 18.6% year-on-year to 1.23 million tonnes. In Asia, prices are also moving upward due to supply shortages linked to the absence of Iranian semi-finished products. In Japan, average prices in the first half of April rose by $20, reaching $500/t.
Impact on the Steel Market and winox.ua Solutions
The rise in slab prices is an early signal for the entire metal consumption chain, as semi-finished products form the cost base for rolled steel, billets, and various industrial components. For manufacturers, service centers, and procurement departments, this indicates a need for more proactive contract planning, monitoring regional imbalances, and reviewing inventory levels. This is especially relevant given supply shortages in specific regions and shifting trade flows between the US, EU, Turkey, and Asia.
In such an environment, businesses require a supplier that provides predictability and quality control. winox.ua works with industrial metal consumers to help mitigate price fluctuation risks through reliable supplies of rolled metal, stainless steel, and non-ferrous metals. As the semi-finished market becomes more expensive, stable procurement and precise assortment planning become practical tools for winox.ua clients to protect their production schedules.
The current market landscape suggests that the upward trend may persist if supply deficits are not offset by new export volumes. The expected recovery of Brazilian shipments in April will partially alleviate the pressure but is unlikely to shift the overall market direction quickly. For industrial enterprises, this means that raw material and steel procurement decisions should be made with continued price pressure in mind.