Report Period: May 27-June 3
Coverage: Brazil | Argentina | Chile | Peru | Colombia
This free sample offers a curated look at a transformative week in South American steel markets. Subscribers receive the full report, including complete price tables for all eight steel products, a detailed Product Substitution Matrix mapping alternative origins for blocked Chinese products, and landed cost calculations that reflect the new anti‑dumping reality.
📌 Sample Core Insights
📌 Brazil Imposes Definitive AD Duties on Chinese HRC – June 2, 2026 – ▲ – GECEX Resolution No. 868 sets duties at $212.23/t for Baoshan** and **$393.56/t for all other Chinese exporters, structurally closing the Brazilian market to Chinese HRC for five years. [Source: GECEX]
📌 Brazil’s 32‑Port Stevedore Strike Executed – June 3, 2026 – 🔴 – A 24‑hour strike is disrupting cargo handling across all major Brazilian ports, compounding existing congestion at Santos and Rio de Janeiro. Importers should expect 7–14 days of cascading delays. [Source: World Ports]
📌 China HRC Export Prices Find Floor Near $500/t – June 2, 2026 – ⏸️ – Chinese mills cut production in late May, stabilizing HRC FOB at **$498–502/t**. Billet slipped to $470–475/t, with the China‑Indonesia spread narrowing further. [Source: SMM]
📌 Brazil Sets June 17 Vote on Stricter ‘Hard Quota’ System – June 2026 – ▲ – The new quota regime will replace the current system expiring June 23; a stricter framework is expected, further limiting import flexibility. [Source: Reuters]
Full report includes 6–8 core insights with detailed analysis.
💰 Sample Price & Trend Comparison (Partial View)
| Product | Market | This Week (May 27–Jun 3) | WoW Change (vs May 20–27) | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China HRC (SS400, 3mm) FOB | 🇨🇳 China | $498–502/t | ▼ $0–4/t | Production cuts stabilizing prices; iron ore costs easing |
| China Billet (3SP, 150mm) FOB | 🇨🇳 China | $470–475/t | ▼ $4–5/t | Narrowing China‑Indonesia spread; moderate SE Asian demand |
| Brazil Domestic HRC (ex‑works) | 🇧🇷 Brazil | **R$3,950–4,100/t** ($788–818/t) | ⏸️ Stable | AD duties insulating mills; distribution inventory overhang of 3.7 months |
| Iron Ore (61% Fe CFR China) | 🌍 Global | $104.5/dmt | ▼ $0.6/dmt | Weak mill margins; high Chinese port stocks |
| BDI (Baltic Dry Index) | 🌍 Global | 2,994 | ▼ 3.0% | Capesize demand cooling; freight relief for importers |
Subscribers receive complete tables for all eight products across five South American markets.
🛡️ Sample Supply Chain & Policy Update (Excerpt)
Brazil’s HRC Market Closure and the Race for Quota – June 2026
The June 2 imposition of definitive anti‑dumping duties on Chinese HRC is a permanent structural shift. With total duties and tariffs now exceeding $340/t, Chinese HRC is economically locked out of the region’s largest market. This forces import‑dependent buyers in the automotive and machinery sectors to urgently source from Japan, Korea, or Turkey. The current carbon steel import quota of 445,469 tonnes expires on June 23, and a decisive vote on a stricter “hard quota” system is set for June 17. The combination of these events creates a narrow, high‑stakes procurement window.
Full report includes a detailed Product Substitution Matrix mapping every blocked Chinese product to alternative origins with standards, specifications, and end‑user applications.
💡 Sample Actionable Advice (Preview)
| For Procurement Managers | For Export Sales Managers |
|---|---|
| ✅ Immediately halt Chinese HRC sourcing and switch to Japan, Korea, or Turkey – The AD duties make Chinese HRC uneconomic. Secure non‑Chinese material before the June 23 quota expiry. | ✅ Permanently cease quoting Chinese HRC into Brazil and redirect volumes to Argentina, Chile, and Peru – Brazil is structurally closed. First movers in open markets will gain a competitive edge. |
| ⚠️ Activate port strike contingency plans – The June 3 strike will cause 7–14 day delays. Budget for demurrage and use alternative ports like Vitória or Suape where possible. | 👀 Lock in current HRC export prices at $498–502/t FOB for June/July shipments – The market is stabilizing; the Dragon Boat Festival pre‑holiday window could offer a temporary uplift. |
The full report contains six tailored action items for each audience, with specific rationales and target markets.
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