[SMM Steel] US drawn wire exports rise 12.5% MoM in January 2026

On 1 April, the Indian iron ore miner NMDC officially published its production and sales performance report for the 2025-2026 The report demonstrates that full-year iron ore production reached 53.15 million tonnes, representing a year-on-year increase of 20.6 per cent and a substantial uplift from the 44.07 million tonnes recorded in the previous financial year. Over the same period, total iron ore sales volumes amounted to 50.23 million tonnes, marking a 13.1 per cent expansion compared to the 44.40 million tonnes registered in the prior year. This enhanced operational performance is primarily attributed to the steady growth and robust execution across the company's mining assets located in the states of Chhattisgarh and Karnataka.

【SMM Steel】CSC clarified its local scrap purchases are for 2030 carbon goals, not a continuous trend. It targets high-quality clean scrap (unpainted H-beams, steel plates >6mm) unlike general EAF scrap. Dealers warn premium domestic supply is scarce, pressuring EAF mills to raise bids. CSC says it has no intention to disrupt the market or compete for standard raw materials.

This week, HRC social inventory was 3.4803 million mt, down 11,900 mt from the previous period, down 0.34% WoW, up 34.13% YoY, and up 21.43% YoY on a lunar-calendar basis. This week, HRC mill inventory was 1.1624 million mt, up 3,400 mt from the previous period, up 0.29% WoW, up 6.15% YoY, and up 1.64% YoY on a lunar-calendar basis. This week, total HRC inventory was 4.6427 million mt, down 8,500 mt from the previous period, down 0.18% WoW, up 25.83% YoY, and up 15.79% YoY on a lunar-calendar basis.