Galvanized steel prices have been on the rise due to the increasing price of zinc. The zinc price reached a new record high of US$3, 000/ton. Production costs for HGI steel has also increased. During March a Taiwanese GI manufacturer based in China have exported 5, 000 tons of HGI to Taiwan to meet the demand in the domestic market. It is predicted that this figure will rise to around 8, 000 tons. The price of HGI was around NTD$15, 000 to 15, 500/ton at the end of last year. The price has increase scope has reached between 43 and 50 percent and is around NT$22, 000 to 22, 500/ton. Taiwan’s domestic consumption rate of HGI is around 15, 000 to 18, 000 tons per month. The increased import of HGI is not expected to harm the market but it could help slow down the increase in GI material prices. (Apr. 13)