HRC lead times in the Midwest fell to 3-4 weeks from 4 weeks.

High water storage levels at hydropower reservoirs have led Brazilian grid operator ONS and chamber of electric energy commercialization CCEE to launch a plan to export power to Argentina and Uruguay.

Limited overseas scrap demand will continue to weigh on export prices, trade sources said.

Total US electric power sector electricity output for October-March will edge down by less than one-tenth of one percent to around 1,929bn kWh, EIA projected.

Increased light vehicle production through the second half of 2022 over the first half of the year will increase availability for prime steel scrap.

The higher production comes despite an 18% fall in spot prices of iron ore over the September quarter.

Hoa Phat Group produced over 6 million tonnes of crude steel in the first nine months of the year, matching its output from last year.

Multiple producers have faced that tough choice in recent months.