Flats: Vietnam's import market for commercial-grade hot-rolled coil saw turbulence in May, with importers more cautious in dealings in response to fluctuations in Chinese offers.

Longs: The Southeast Asian rebar import market was muted in May. While offers are stable, volatility in Chinese steel futures is likely causing regional buyers to exercise caution.

Semis: The ASEAN billet market saw a pick-up in transaction volumes and an increase in transaction prices in May, although the activity of the ASEAN regional market is still at a low point.

BF Raw Materials: Seaborne iron ore prices ended May trading with little change. Policy support has played a positive role in driving prices upward. However, limited growth in hot metal output at Chinese steel mills and struggling steelmaking margins have also weighed on iron ore prices.

EAF Raw Materials:The Kanto Tetsugen monthly scrap export tender settled higher in mid-May. In the latest tender, which opened on 9 May, Itochu was awarded 20,000t of Japanese H2 grade scrap at JPY 52,590/t ($337/t) fas. This is JPY 1,503/t higher than last month’s tender price. In dollar terms, however, the latest award price is marginally higher, by around $1/t, than last month because of JPY depreciation. The tender attracted 19 bids for a total of 125,700t. The awarded material is split into 15,000t and 5,000t cargoes for shipment by 30 June.

Country Trade Data:

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

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