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In the first 9 months of 2023, Vietnam's HRC exports exceeded 2.5 million tons, with Formosa Ha Tinh and Hoa Phat Dung Quat leading in the export market share. Additionally, crude steel exports showed a remarkable increase of over 81% compared to the previous year, reaching a volume of 1.4 million tons.Overview of Vietnam’s HRC exports from domestic steel manufacturers In the first 9 months of 2023, the steel industry's overall production of hot-rolled coil (HRC) reached 4.93 million tons, marking a 1.7% increase compared to the same period in 2022. Total sales volume was 4.95 million tons, reflecting a 4.1% increase compared to the previous year, with export quantities accounting for 50% of the total, reaching 2.559 million tons. Formosa Ha Tinh and Hoa Phat Dung Quat continued to lead the HRC sector in the country, with export figures of 1.6 million tons and 817,000 tons, respectively. It's worth noting that HRC exports have tripled compared to the same period last year, indicating a strong recovery in the Vietnamese steel industry despite the domestic steel consumption remaining relatively weak due to challenges in the real estate sector. In this context, export, especially in the HRC segment, has partially compensated for steel enterprises' domestic sales.Additionally, data reveals that Italy and India have become the two largest import markets for Vietnam’s HRC exports, with Italy importing over 840,000 tons and India importing more than 386,000 tons in the past 9 months. Furthermore, in more than 40 countries importing HRC from Vietnam, there are two Southeast Asian countries, Malaysia and Indonesia, ranking third and fourth in terms of import volume, with 378,000 tons and 244,000 tons. Previously, Vietnam's steel was predominantly consumed in the Southeast Asian region. However, since the signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), the European market has emerged as a promising destination for Vietnamese steel exporters.The pie chart show top Vietnam’s HRC importing countries in the first 9 months of 2023While China's steel production has been continuously decreasing, India is considered as a new global steel production powerhouse, leading experts to believe that India will continue to maintain demand for HRC imports to support its manufacturing sector. Italy, which has always been a leading importer of Vietnamese steel in the European market, has shown sustained interest in Vietnam's steel. Attractive pricing from Vietnamese HRC manufacturers and the tariff benefits under the EVFTA have provided opportunities for strong steel importation by European businesses.Export of other steel segments in the first 9 months of 2023 has shown positive growthAccording to the Vietnam Steel Association (VSA), the export volume of other steel categories, including crude steel, finished steel, and construction steel, has increased significantly compared to the previous year. Overall, in the first 9 months of 2023, the total production of crude steel across the industry exceeded 14 million tons, despite a 13% decrease compared to the same period in 2022. However, export data indicates a remarkable 81% increase compared to the previous year, reaching a volume of 1.4 million tons.Similarly, the production and export of finished steel have seen positive changes, with production reaching 20.2 million tons, a 13.3% decrease compared to the same period in 2022, while export quantities reached nearly 6 million tons, reflecting a 22.6% increase compared to the previous year. In the case of galvanized steel, production reached 3.42 million tons in the first 9 months of 2023, a slight 3.4% decrease compared to the same period the previous year, with 3.11 million tons being sold and 1.66 million tons serving export purposes. Overall, the growth percentages in sales and exports do not significantly differ from the previous year.The production of construction steel products in the past 9 months exceeded 7.72 million tons, with production decreasing by 21.6% compared to the previous year. Sales and exports reached 7.74 million tons and 1.25 million tons, respectively, both showing a downward trend compared to the same period in 2022. In general, most real estate sectors have witnessed a global decline in investments ranging from 40% to 65% compared to the previous year, directly impacting the consumption of construction steel.The charts indicated about the exporting volumes of Vietnam steel products in 9 months of 2023Despite the current weak domestic consumption, VSA anticipates that challenging sectors such as real estate and industrial production will continue to improve in the near future due to public investment projects aiming to stimulate strong steel demand towards the end of the year. The steel market in Vietnam in the fourth quarter of 2023 is expected to have an upward trend, primarily due to favorable export conditions that allow enterprises to increase production.

Europe, with its well-developed steel industry and strong potential, is confidently anticipating a surge in the price of hot rolled coil in the final months of the year. Positive indicators and specific factors have created an ideal situation for steel price increases and mark the recovery of the steel industry after a challenging period.HRC price in EuropeBetween October 13th and October 20th, 2023, the price of hot rolled coil in Western Europe decreased by €10 per ton compared to the previous week, reaching a range of €610-€630 per ton. This price decrease started at the beginning of October, with a €50 per ton drop on September 29th, equivalent to 7.3%. Meanwhile, the Italian market also experienced a similar price reduction, with hot rolled coil prices dropping by €10 per ton compared to the previous week and €20 per ton compared to the end of September. The price difference between Western and Southern Europe has narrowed, and the market is facing pressure from low-cost imported hot rolled coil.Service centers and distributors are currently experiencing low sales volumes due to reduced consumer demand. The significant volume of imports from Asia and India continues to put pressure on the market, and the European automotive industry is going through a slump, significantly impacting the purchase of hot rolled coil. Some steel companies are temporarily halting operations to balance supply and demand and prevent further price declines.Despite the weak market conditions, European steel producers are reducing production capacity to maintain balance, and it is anticipated that the market may face a supply shortage in November and December, potentially leading to an increase in hot rolled coil prices.HRC prices in other marketsIn the hot rolled coil steel market, prices in major countries like the United States, China, and India have experienced notable fluctuations. In the United States, hot rolled coil prices have been trending upwards from $680-700 USD per ton to $692-720 USD per ton. This is the result of factors such as trade policies, regulations on steel imports, and domestic industry protection measures. However, prices can still vary due to factors like supply and demand in the construction and manufacturing sectors.In China, one of the largest players in the global steel market, hot rolled coil prices have remained relatively stable recently. Additionally, China's steel production policies and output can impact both domestic and export steel prices. Factors like production restrictions or policy changes may not significantly alter prices in the short term.In India, hot rolled coil steel prices are often influenced by domestic supply and demand as well as imports. Currently, hot rolled coil prices in India are stable, and economic growth and infrastructure development are creating increased demand for steel. However, factors such as trade policies and anti-dumping measures can influence steel prices in the near future.

Recently, the Department of Foreign Trade of Thailand (DFT) announced an investigation into evading anti-dumping (AD) measures on hot rolled steel products, both coil and non-coil, imported from China. The investigation began on September 15, 2023, due to suspicions by the government that China was intentionally altering minor compositions of hot rolled steel to evade AD duties.1. The situation of Thai steel imports from ChinaAccording to the Ministry of Commerce report, Thailand's steel demand shows promising improvements in 2023, but domestic production is on a decline. In the first 6 months of the year, the production volume decreased by more than 10%, especially in 1st quarter 2023 where it fell by over 36%. This has led to an alarming capacity utilization rate of under 30% in Thailand's steel industry. The steel consumption data for the first five months of 2023 shows 7.17 million tons, with a domestic production of 2.81 million tons and imports of 4.99 million tons, increasing by 15.6%. Notably, the import rate of Chinese steel has risen by over 50% compared to the same period in 2022, putting tremendous competitive pressure on domestic steel products.2. Thailand intensifies investigations on hot rolled coil and non-coil steel imports from ChinaFaced with severe threats to Thailand's steel industry due to dumping and surging imports, domestic producers appealed to Thailand's Ministry of Commerce for timely measures. Consequently, on September 15, 2023, the government officially began an investigation into evasion of anti-dumping measures on hot rolled flat steel, both coil and non-coil, originating from 17 Chinese enterprises. The products under investigation are classified under HS codes as HS 7225.3090.022, 7225.3090.023, 7225.3090.024, 7225.3090.042, 7225.3090.090, 7225.4090.034, 7225.4090.090, 7226.911 0,022, 7226,9110,023, 7226,9110,024, 7226,9110. 042, 7226.9110.090, 7226.9190.022, 7226.9190.023, 7226.9190.024, 7226.9190.042 và 7226.9190.090.Previously, Thailand had also imposed numerous trade defense measures against imported goods from China to protect the interests of domestic enterprises and the national steel industry.3. Thailand importers benefit from Vietnamese steelThailand is one of Vietnam's main steel export markets, with $281.8 million in iron and steel products and $103.8 million in products made from steel in 2022. With many advantages and tax incentives, many importers have chosen Vietnamese steel for its affordable price and quality.In 2023, the DFT decided to terminate the anti-dumping duty order on alloy-coated zinc aluminum steel products from Vietnamese manufacturers like Hoa Sen Group, Nam Kim Steel Joint Stock Company, Hoa Phat One Member Limited Liability Steel Sheet Company, Vnsteel Thang Long Coated Steel Joint Stock Company, Maruichi Sun Steel Joint Stock Company, Dong A Steel Joint Stock Company, Dai Thien Loc Corporation, NS BlueScope Vietnam Limited Company, and Southern Steel Company.Earlier, on March 25, 2017, the DFT had imposed definitive anti-dumping duties on zinc-aluminum alloy-coated steel, ranging from 4.3% to 60.26%.In addition to AFTA, ACFTA, RCEP, etc., Vietnam and Thailand have participated in and signed numerous bilateral agreements to enhance their economic and trade relationships. Furthermore, both countries, being neighbors in Southeast Asia, benefit from supply chain efficiencies and transportation advantages, leading to time and cost savings.MRS Steel is a provider sourcing and delivering quality Vietnamese steel at competitive prices to global markets. If you're looking to save time and cost in understanding the Vietnamese steel industry, please contact MRS Steel for expert assistance.

Recently, the Trade Remedies Department has just received information that Morocco has issued a conclusion to review safeguard duties on imported hot-rolled steel for products with HS codes 72.08, 72.11.13, 72.11.14, 72.11.19, 72.25.30, 72.25.40, 72.26.20.00.11, 72.26.20.20, 72.26.20.05, 72.26.20.052.72.26.20.00 .59, 72.26.91 and 72.26.99.980.00. Vietnam's hot-rolled steel continues to be exempt from Morocco's safeguard duty because of a developing country with negligible imports.1. Morocco imposed a safeguard duty of up to 25% on imported hot-rolled steelAccording to data from the General Department of Trade - Ministry of Industry and Trade of Morocco, the country's imported hot-rolled steel output reached 107,213 in 2018, an increase of 32,725 tons compared to 2014. In addition, only in the first 7 months of 2018, Morocco imported 79,371 tons of HRC, equal to 74% of the total output of the previous year. The massive import of hot-rolled steel pushed domestic manufacturers to bankruptcy when production and consumption of hot-rolled steel plates decreased by 19.4% and 28% in 2017 and 2018, respectively.Faced with concerns about dumping by foreign importers causing difficulties for the domestic steel market, Moroccan authorities have initiated a safeguard investigation into hot rolled steel imported into the country on May 29, 2019. The products under investigation fall under the following HS code groups: 7208, 7211.13, 7211.14, 7211.19, 7225.30, 7225.40, 7226.20.00.11, 7226.20.00.21, 7226.20.00.30, 7226.20. 00.40, 7226.20.00.51, 7226.20.00.52, 7226.20.00.59, 7226.91, 7226.99.90.91 and 7226.99.90.99.On October 22, 2019, the Moroccan government announced the imposition of a temporary safeguard duty of 25% on imported hot-rolled steel plates, effective for 200 days. After the sunset review, on June 19, 2020, the Moroccan government imposed a definitive anti-dumping duty on products with the above HS code group for a period of 3 years at a duty rate of 25%.Some developing countries, including Vietnam, are exempt from duty because of their negligible import volume. On May 3, 2022, Morocco sent a notice to the WTO approving a request to reduce the safeguard duty rate on imported HRC products by 1% each subsequent year.2. Vietnam hot rolled steel is not subject to Morocco's safeguard dutyOn May 25, 2023, Morocco conducted a sunset review of safeguard measures for imported hot rolled steel products and decided to maintain the duty rate of 23% from June 19, 2023, to June 18, 2026, but reduce 1% each subsequent year. However, Vietnam continues to be excluded from the safeguard measure because of a developing country with negligible import volume.According to World Trade Organization (WTO) statistics, by the end of 2021, Morocco has conducted 17 anti-dumping investigations and 12 global safeguard cases against imports into the country. 3. Advantages of importing hot rolled steel from VietnamVietnam has a self-sufficient source of hot rolled steel to serve domestic and export demand with a total production capacity of 12.8 million tons/year. All products are manufactured according to modern continuous casting and rolling production lines, which can reach a minimum thickness of 1.2 - 2mm to meet many international standards such as JIS, MS, SAE, BS, EN,...Some fastidious markets such as Europe, the United States, Australia, the UK,... are significant for the certificate of origin, so the autonomy of hot-rolled steel produced in Vietnam has opened up many export opportunities across countries.In addition to product quality, importing hot rolled steel from Vietnam also has the advantage of cost optimization due to cheap labor and abundant raw materials. Data from the General Department of Vietnam Customs said that steel export output in April 2023 reached 973,549 tons of iron and steel, reaching 812 million USD, up 11.4% and 18% respectively over the previous month. In the first 4 months of 2023, Vietnam exported 3.25 million tons of iron and steel with a value of 2.52 billion USD, up 0.6% in volume.Importing hot-rolled steel from Vietnam into Morocco is exempt from safeguard duty, helping Moroccan importers access an ample HRC supply at a better price than other exporting countries. For all inquiries about the Vietnam steel market, please contact MRS Steel via Email at vanloc@mrssteel.com.vn for 24/7 support.