This accomplishment not only highlights the industry''s rapid growth in production output but also signifies its increasing independence and diversification of product types.
According to the Vietnam Steel Association (VSA), steel sales in November and December 2023 reached the highest levels in 20 months with growth between 20-40 per cent for different products.
Decarbonisation became vital for the steel industry to enhance competitiveness while developed economies were taking steps to address carbon leakage risk.
In the long term, according to VSA, Viet Nam''s steel demand will continue to grow from 240kg per capita to 290kg per capita in 2030. Steel demand will be concentrated on alloys or high-quality steel.
Totally in the 11-month period, finished steel production saw a yearly decline of 11.3 per cent to 27.12 million tonnes. Sales of finished steel also plunged 7 per cent year-on-year to 25.1 million tonnes.
Steel producers have begun to feel the pinch as weakening demand and mouting input costs have dealt a heavy blow to their steel sales. Insiders are calling for favourable policies to lift them out of hardship.
Steel prices have been steadily on the decline in the last few weeks as prices for raw materials ped on the global market, according to the Vietnam Steel Association (VSA).
Demand from the European Union and North American markets recovered and rose strongly, boosting the export volume of galvanised steel and offsetting weak domestic consumption in the first half of this year.
Steel enterprises have boosted exports while facing difficulties in domestic consumption due to the COVID-19 outbreak, according to the Vietnam Steel Association (VSA).
Steel has hit a new high after a series of rapid price increases from May through June 2021 when they increased by more than 50 per cent compared to the beginning of the year.
The steel industry should diversify its export markets and products to reduce dependence on a single market and minimise the risks of high import tariffs as trade defence investigations targeting the industry increase.