Report Date: May 27, 2026 | Coverage: Brazil | Argentina | Chile | Peru | Colombia
Week-on-Week Comparison Included: May 20–27, 2026 vs. May 13–20, 2026
This free sample offers a curated look at this week’s most critical market-moving events and data. Subscribers receive the full report, including complete price tables for all eight steel products, detailed policy analysis, landed cost calculations, and week-on-week comparisons that reveal exactly where the market is heading.
📌 Sample Core Insights (Excerpt)
📌 Brazil HRC Anti-Dumping Duties Expected in June, Imports Could Plunge 20% – May 21–22, 2026 – ▲ – INDA projects that provisional AD duties on HRC will be imposed within weeks, potentially cutting Brazil’s total steel imports by a fifth this year. SECEX has already confirmed Chinese dumping, and the quota window is closing fast. [Source: INDA, SteelOrbis]
📌 China Export Prices Slide as Eid al-Adha Drains Middle East Demand – May 26, 2026 – ▼ – HRC FOB fell to 502/t billet drop to 474–475/t, and CRC and HDG both declined as the approach of the Islamic holiday kept key Middle Eastern buyers on the sidelines. [Source: SMM]
📌 Brazil Ports Brace for Escalated 24‑Hour Strike on June 3 – May 22, 2026 – 🔴 – After executing a 12‑hour stoppage on May 20, stevedores have approved a full‑day walkout in early June. The action will compound pre‑existing congestion at Santos, where vessel delays already stretch beyond four days. [Source: World Ports]
📌 Brazil April Imports Crash 43% Year‑on‑Year – May 2026 – ▼ – The sharpest drop since AD duties were imposed confirms that trade barriers are reshaping regional flows. Distributor inventories, however, have climbed to 3.7 months of consumption, signalling a potential domestic oversupply risk. [Source: INDA]
Full report includes 6–8 core insights with detailed analysis.
💰 Sample Price & Trend Comparison (Partial View)
| Product | Market | This Week (May 20–27) | WoW Change (vs May 13–20) | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China HRC (Q235B, 3.9mm) FOB | 🇨🇳 China | 520–530/t (SAE1006) | ▼ $2–3/t (spot) | Eid demand pause; RMB strength |
| China Billet (3SP, 150mm) FOB | 🇨🇳 China | $474–475/t | ▼ $2–3/t | Narrowing China‑Indonesia spread |
| Brazil Domestic HRC (ex‑works) | 🇧🇷 Brazil | R788–818/t) | ⏸️ Stable | Mill pricing power holding; inventory overhang building |
| Iron Ore (61% Fe CFR China) | 🌍 Global | $105.1/dmt | ▼ $3.35/dmt | Low‑grade Australian/Indian fines pressuring seaborne values |
| BDI (Baltic Dry Index) | 🌍 Global | 3,085 | ▲ +2.7% | Capesize demand rebounding; China coal and iron ore imports |
Subscribers receive complete tables for all eight products across five South American markets, with precise weekly and monthly changes.
🛡️ Sample Supply Chain & Policy Update (Excerpt)
Brazil HRC Anti‑Dumping Decision Window and Quota Countdown – May–June 2026
The Brazilian market is entering a decisive four‑week period. The carbon steel import quota of 445,469 tonnes expires on June 23, with approximately 178,000 tonnes of headroom remaining. INDA expects HRC anti‑dumping duties to be imposed in June, which could cut total imports by 20% year‑over‑year. SECEX has already confirmed that Chinese suppliers sold HRC at below‑market prices, and the investigation — now covering China, Vietnam, Japan, and Russia — is on an accelerated timeline. For procurement managers, this is the last clear window to source HRC at normal tariff rates under the existing quota. For exporters, the approaching duties represent the effective closure of Brazil as a destination for Chinese HRC.
Full report includes 3–4 in‑depth supply chain and policy updates with cross‑market analysis.
💡 Sample Actionable Advice (Preview)
| For Procurement Managers | For Export Sales Managers |
|---|---|
| ✅ Accelerate HRC imports under remaining quota before AD duties bite – HRC quota utilization is only 18%, leaving substantial room. Source from Japan, Korea, or Turkey to beat the June deadline. | ✅ Lock in current HRC export prices at $502–530/t FOB – The two‑tier market cannot last. Spot levels are softening, and list prices will follow without new demand catalysts. |
| ⚠️ Prepare for the June 3 port strike – A 24‑hour walkout will compound existing congestion. Expedite shipments or budget for demurrage of $15,000–25,000/day. | 👀 Redirect HRC and billet toward Argentina, Chile, and Peru – Brazil is approaching effective closure for Chinese HRC. These open markets offer stronger netbacks. |
| 👀 Defer China HRC purchases by 1–2 weeks – Eid al‑Adha demand softness and falling iron ore costs suggest a further $5–10/t of downside potential. | ⚠️ Require confirmed L/C and export credit insurance for Argentina – Import payment approval rates remain at only 43%, with 90–120 day waits. |
The full report contains six tailored action items for each audience, with specific rationales and target markets.
This free sample is only a fraction of the intelligence delivered each week. Subscribers to the South America Steel Weekly Report receive:
- 8 product price tables (billet, rebar, HRC, CRC, HDG, carbon steel pipe, stainless steel, CRGO) with FOB, domestic, and import parity data for all key origins.
- Week-on-week and year-on-year comparisons to track market direction.
- Import viability assessments with landed cost calculations under current trade remedy regimes.
- Comprehensive policy tracker – anti‑dumping duties, safeguard measures, CBAM, certification updates.
- Supply chain dynamics – port congestion, raw material trends, geopolitics, freight.
- Forward‑looking price forecast with supporting arguments and one key downside risk.
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