Flats: Vietnam's import market for commercial-grade hot-rolled coil has cooled after strong growth in early January, as China's futures market revised lower. The market has been slowing down for the approaching Lunar New Year.

Longs: The Southeast Asian rebar import market was in the doldrums in January. Suppliers were maintaining offers but buying interest was thin.

Semis: The ASEAN billet market's trading sentiment turned from strong to weak in January. Buying was slow as regional finished steel demand remains sluggish, the situation that worsened at the end of the month with the approach of the Lunar New Year holiday.

BF Raw Materials: Seaborne iron ore prices started 2024 with high and firm prices, with trading still revolving around restocking purchases by steel mills. A small number of mills resumed production after maintenance at the end of December, driving positive iron ore demand expectations.

EAF Raw Materials: In the latest tender, which opened on 16 January, 15,000t of Japanese H2 grade scrap for shipment by 29 February was awarded at JPY 53,081/t ($362/t) fas. This is JPY 2,061/t higher than the award price of JPY 51,020/t, on 8 December.

Country Trade Data:

• Thailand
• Singapore
• Philippines
• Malaysia
• Indonesia
• Vietnam

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