The expected increase will be mostly aimed at hot-rolled and cold-rolled coil, with the company remaining cautious about competition with coated steel imports. Martinez forecast a 25% price rise during the first quarter alone.
“We have a favorable global scenario, with fewer exports from Asian markets, for example. And we have to cover rising raw material costs, with the jump seen in iron ore and coking coal prices,” he said during a conference call about the company’s fourth-quarter earnings.
Steel domestic prices have risen each month since the start of the second half of 2020 amid tight supply, higher international prices and the strengthening of the United States dollar...
