[SMM Steel]

Today, iron ore prices on the Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) came under pressure, with the main contract I2609 finally settling at 744.5 yuan/ton, down approximately 0.47% from the previous session. Port spot prices fell by about 4-6 yuan/ton from the previous trading day.

[Flat products (HRC)]Sheet export prices fall further, HRC deals at 485-492 USD/tonne On July 13 China's HRC and other sheet export prices fell 1-3 USD/tonne day-on-day, with HRC export deal prices at 485-492 USD/tonne FOB. Futures dropped noticeably today; market feedback indicated inquiries were subdued overall with no notable transactions. [Billet]Billet export FOB down 3 USD, Jiangyin at 456-459 USD/tonne On July 13 China's billet export FOB price fell 3 USD/tonne, with Jiangyin port quoted at 456-459 USD/tonne. Market feedback noted export billet offers remain relatively high and uncompetitive versus other exporting countries; with prices in some destination markets continuing to slide, buyers pushed hard on price and deals proved difficult. [Rebar]Rebar export offers down 1-2 USD, overseas buyers cap price, deals thin On July 13 rebar export offers edged down 1-2 USD/tonne. Market participants reported that overseas buyers have turned bearish and are pressing hard on price; only a few sellers willing to concede at low levels concluded small volumes, with overall shipments unremarkable. [Vietnam]Vietnam HRC bids low, import price slips to 525 USD/tonne CFR On July 13 Vietnam's imported HRC price fell to 525 USD/tonne CFR, with about 5000 tonnes of Indonesian SAE1006 HRC booked at that level; Indian material was also offered around 525 USD/tonne CFR, but Vietnamese buyers targeted only 515-520 USD/tonne CFR. Weak demand and slow inventory destocking kept purchasing cautious. [India]India Alang shipbreaking scrap tight, holds at 355 USD/tonne EXW On July 13 India's HMS 80:20 shipbreaking scrap at Alang, Gujarat held at 355 USD/tonne EXW. Monsoon rains continued to slow ship dismantling and cutting, limiting finished-scrap supply and offsetting weak downstream mill demand. Mills purchased on a need basis; sluggish finished-steel sales capped upside, and prices are expected to stay stable near-term. [Brazil]Carbon-cost edge supports EU demand, Brazil slab export offers steady at 575-595 USD/tonne FOB On July 13 Brazil's slab export offers held at 575-595 USD/tonne FOB (September shipment). Demand from major overseas import markets remained strong, with Brazilian slab especially favored in the EU on its highly competitive carbon-cost advantage, but strong competition from Asian suppliers kept the export premium suppressed. Exporters admitted they cannot fully cover all overseas September-shipment orders, yet amid fierce competition the offer center for the new shipment window is set to remain steady with only minor adjustments.

[SMM Daily HRC Trading Volume] On July 13, the total daily HRC trading volume of sample enterprises in four SMM cities (Shanghai, Lecong, Tianjin, Ningbo) was 11,270 mt, down 1,180 mt DoD (-9.0%), with a YoY decline of 28.67% based on the Gregorian calendar and a YoY increase of 1.53% based on the lunar calendar.