Week-on-Week Comparison Included: April 29 – May 6, 2026 vs. April 22–29, 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)

📌 Brazilian Real Surges to 27-Month High – May 5, 2026 – ▼ – The USD/BRL closed at R$4.91, down 1.4% week-on-week and bringing year-to-date appreciation to 10.51%. The stronger Real significantly reduces landed import costs for steel, narrowing the domestic-versus-import HRC price gap toward a potential crossover point. [Source: Agência Brasil]

📌 Baltic Dry Index Soars to 29-Month High of 2,991 – May 6, 2026 – ▲ – Capesize daily earnings jumped 21% to $42,514/day, and the BDI has risen 11.7% week-on-week. Freight costs from China to South America are climbing, compounding landed price pressure. [Source: Baltic Exchange]

📌 Mexico Tariff on Chinese Steel Takes Effect – May 1, 2026 – ▲ barrier – Steel products from China now face tariffs ranging from 25% to 50%, effectively closing the Mexican market and redirecting Chinese export volumes toward Argentina, Peru, and Chile. [Source: Industry data]

📌 China Post-Holiday Steel Surge – May 6, 2026 – ▲ – HRC futures rose 2.34% to Yuan 3,493/t after the Labor Day break, supported by destocking (social inventory -2.96% WoW) and infrastructure policy support. [Source: Mysteel, CMISI]

Full report includes 5–6 core insights with detailed analysis.

💰 Sample Price & Trend Comparison (Partial View)

Product	Market	This Week (Apr 29–May 6)	WoW Change (vs Apr 22–29)	Key Driver
China HRC (SS400, 3mm) FOB	🇨🇳 China	$500–510/t	▲ +$0–10/t	Post-holiday demand pulse, firm iron ore
China Billet (3SP, 150mm) FOB	🇨🇳 China	$465–475/t	⏸️ Stable	Strong export orders to SE Asia and Middle East
Brazil Domestic HRC (ex-works)	🇧🇷 Brazil	R $3, 400 – 3, 600 / t ($ 3,400–3,600/t(692–733/t)	⏸️ Stable (nominal)	BRL appreciation pushes USD equivalent higher
Iron Ore (62% Fe CFR China)	🌍 Global	$109.34/t	⏸️ Stable	Pre-holiday restocking complete; supply steady
BDI (Baltic Dry Index)	🌍 Global	2,991	▲ +11.7%	Capesize demand; Hormuz disruption supports rates

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)

Mexico Tariff Redirection and Regional Trade Implications – May 2026

Mexico’s new tariff on Chinese steel, ranging from 25% to 50% across multiple product categories, is the most significant trade diversion catalyst in Latin America this year. An estimated 1.5–2.0 million tonnes per year of Chinese steel exports previously destined for Mexico will now seek alternative destinations. Argentina, Peru, and Chile—all showing strong import growth and maintaining relatively open trade policies—are the primary targets. However, Argentina’s SIRA import documentation requirements remain a critical operational hurdle: any mismatch between customs declarations, invoices, and bills of lading can block clearance and freeze foreign exchange access. Exporters must ensure flawless documentation.

Simultaneously, Brazil has broadened its HRC anti-dumping investigation to include Vietnam, Japan, and Russia, signaling that trade protection in the region is extending beyond China. Colombia has initiated a new anti-dumping probe on Chinese wire rod, further tightening long product access.

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
✅ Recalibrate import parity models for BRL strength – The U.S. dollar at R$4.91 has narrowed the domestic-vs-import HRC gap to its closest level since tariffs were imposed. Crossover may be near.	✅ Redirect HRC volumes to Argentina, Peru, and Chile – Mexico’s tariff has closed that market. These three alternative destinations offer the best combination of demand growth and open trade policy.
👀 Defer China HRC purchases by 1–2 weeks – The post-holiday price surge may be temporary; Mysteel’s May outlook projects a “high-then-low” trajectory as spring demand winds down.	👀 Lock in current HRC export prices at $500–510/t FOB – The post-Labor Day window is favorable, but limited further upside is expected as demand softens later in May.
⚠️ Lock in freight rates now – The Baltic Dry Index at a 29-month high and ongoing Hormuz disruption suggest shipping costs are unlikely to decline in the near term.	⚠️ Ensure flawless SIRA documentation for Argentina – Even minor discrepancies between invoices and customs forms can block payments. This is the single biggest risk to receivables.

The full report contains six tailored action items for each audience, with specific rationales and target markets.

📥 Get the Full Report

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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📧 Questions? Custom reports for your specific product or market?
Contact Amy directly at amy@amyinsights.com