The HRC market in 2026 is seeing a "mid-year recovery." After a sluggish 2025 due to the global construction slowdown, the 2026 landscape is firmed by infrastructure projects in India and Southeast Asia.
Technical Levers
Raw Material Impact: Stabilizing Iron Ore prices (see below) have allowed steel mills to maintain healthier margins.
Green Steel Premium: HRC produced via Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF) using renewable energy is now commanding a 15–20% price premium in European markets.
2026 Pricing: FOB China HRC prices at USD 459.38/MT, while US Domestic HRC is trading significantly higher.
