Singapore — Taiwan's top steelmaker China Steel Corp. will increase its domestic steel pri

ces for October-December by an average of T$326/mt ($11/mt), or 1.4% from the previous 

quarter, CSC said in a statement after a quarterly meeting Friday. 

Prices  of  heavy  plate  and  hot-rolled  coil  will  be  raised  by  T$575/mt  and  T$293/mt, 

respectively, while hot-dipped galvanized steel will be increased by T$103/mt. Cold-rolled 

coil and electro galvanized steel prices will remain unchanged. 

The  increase  in  prices  reflects  continuous  strong  steel  demand in Taiwan and supply 

tightness in Asia's steel market during Q4, the Kaohsiung-based mill said. 

According to the statement, maintenance at South Korean mills in Q4 and low exports from 

Japan because of strong domestic demand will limit regional supply. Besides, China's blue 

sky plan could continue to rein in its steel output and exports. 

On the demand side, with China to focus more on the infrastructure sector throughout the

 rest of the year, steel prices and demand are expected to be on an upward trend -- keeping 

international steel prices supported, CSC said. 

The company also attributed the strong demand seen for heavy plate in Taiwan largely to 

healthy economy growth in Q2 and the start of many new infrastructure projects in Q3. 

"Taiwan benefits from prosperous exports and continuous strong industrial production. The l

atest forecast for economy growth has been raised to 2.69%, presenting stable and positive 

situation," CSC said.