📄 2026.5.13 Free Sample-Africa Steel Weekly

Sample Edition – May 13, 2026
Full Report Period: May 6 – 13, 2026 (with WoW comparison vs. Apr 29 – May 6)
Coverage: Nigeria | Egypt | South Africa | Algeria | Morocco | Kenya | Tanzania | Ethiopia | Ghana | Angola

📌 This Week’s Defining Shifts (Preview)

China’s rally hit a ceiling, Iran’s supply deadline drew closer, and a new trade rule changed the calculus for African steel. Below is a preview of the forces that will drive your next decision.

• HRC peaked at $510/t then eased, billet faced buyer resistance – After a strong post‑holiday run, overseas buyers pushed back at elevated prices, forcing mills to trim offers by the week’s end. The question now is whether this is a brief pause or a trend reversal.
• China’s steel industry announced semi‑finished export restrictions for the 2026‑2030 period – Northern mills have already received notices, and the CISA plan to limit billet and slab exports adds a structural supply‑side risk for African buyers dependent on Chinese semi‑finished steel.
• Iran’s export ban on 66 steel codes expires May 30, with the extension warning still active – Whether the ban lifts or extends will determine if the 10‑million‑tonne‑per‑year supply gap closes or widens just as African procurement cycles accelerate.
• The Baltic Dry Index broke above 3,000 for the first time since December 2023 – Capesize rates at a five‑month high of 5,139 points are adding sustained freight cost pressure to every CFR shipment arriving in Lagos, Alexandria, and Mombasa.

💰 Price Snapshot with Week‑on‑Week Comparison (Partial Data)

Full CFR estimates for all ten African markets, exact duty and levy calculations, and viability assessments are available in the complete report.

💡 Sample Actionable Advice

For Procurement Managers:

• Lock in billet and HRC during the current buyer‑resistance window – Offers have softened $1–5/t from mid‑week peaks, but Baosteel’s fourth consecutive monthly price hike, iron ore at $113/dmt, and CISA’s export restriction plan mean the pullback may be shallow and short‑lived.
• Prepare for both Iran ban scenarios now — diversify supply chains – With May 30 only 17 days away and no clarity on extension, securing June‑July allocations from Chinese and Indian suppliers hedges against a supply shock.

For Export Sales Managers:

• Hold firm on offers — the structural bull case is intact – Buyer resistance is a near‑term dynamic; Baosteel’s pricing power, CISA’s restriction signals, and iron ore costs justify current FOB levels.
• Redirect South Africa structural steel volumes to Nigeria and Kenya – The 74.98% AD duty remains prohibitive, while the zero‑tariff policy and naira appreciation create a more favorable export window in West and East Africa.

🌍 What You Get in the Full Report

• Complete FOB China and CFR Africa price tables for all major products, with week‑on‑week change quantification
• Detailed policy analysis: CISA semi‑finished export restrictions, US Section 232 exemption code 9903.81.13, Egypt AD probe closure, Iran ban countdown
• Freight and logistics deep‑dive: BDI breaking 3,063, Capesize at 5,139, Dar es Salaam congestion surging to 13.6 days
• Currency and FX tracker: Nigeria naira rally, Egyptian pound appreciation and retracement, South Africa rand weakness on unemployment shock
• Baosteel June price hike and its pass‑through to export offers
• Supply and inventory dynamics by country, including Simandou ramp‑up and Tosyali $2.5B expansion
• 10–12 tailored recommendations for procurement managers and export sales managers

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📧 Questions? Custom reports? Contact amy@amyinsights.com

Disclaimer: This sample contains partial data for illustrative purposes. The full report includes complete price tables, comprehensive policy analysis, and detailed action plans based on the latest market intelligence.