Taiwan’s stainless steel industry is exiting a two-year downturn, with January orders reaching the highest levels in nearly two years. Major producers, including Yieh United Steel Corp. (Yusco), Tang Eng, and Walsin Lihwa, raised their prices for February with the highest increase in a year. This recovery was driven by rising nickel prices after Indonesia reduced mining quotas and China implemented export licensing for steel products, including stainless steel.

Market participants foresaw even stronger price growth in the second quarter. Tang Eng Chairman Chao Chien-Tsai expects the company to return to profit by March or April.

Furthermore, a preliminary agreement to reduce reciprocal 15% tariffs between Taiwan and the US supports an export recovery for downstream hardware and screws, accelerating inventory depletion across the supply chain.