In August, Taiwan’s stainless steel exports surprisingly exceeded 100,000 tons, reaching 102,117 tons, up by 33.2% compared to the previous month. This marked the highest monthly volume in the past 12 months. However, export prices fell to their lowest level in five years, suggesting that the surge in exports may have been largely driven by a lower price level. 

Local market participants, while pleased with the export growth, still wait for a possible rebound in prices to be necessary. After all, they believe that steel mills can only make more profit if export volumes keep growing and prices go up.