Brazilian imports of rolled steel products are expected to fall by 15.1 percent to 4.88 million metric tonnes in 2026, according to steel association Aco Brasil. The projected decline follows a tightening of Brazil's trade defense measures against steel imports, the association stated. Total steel imports are forecast to decline by 13.2 percent to 5.56 million tonnes this year.
Despite the contraction in imports, domestic sales are expected to rise by just 0.2 percent to 21.27 million tonnes, while apparent steel consumption is forecast to fall by 2.7 percent to 26.08 million tonnes. Crude steel production is expected to remain broadly flat at 33.38 million tonnes, declining by 0.1 percent from 2025. Brazil has implemented several protective trade measures targeting Chinese steel producers.
In February 2026, the government imposed definitive anti-dumping duties on Chinese cold-rolled steel, with duties varying by producer and reaching more than $600 per tonne for some suppliers. These measures are valid for up to five years. Additional anti-dumping duties of up to $709.63 per tonne were imposed on Chinese coated flat steel in February, and duties ranging from $289.1 to $545.39 per tonne were applied to pre-painted steel from China and India earlier that month.
These anti-dumping measures supplement Brazil's existing tariff-quota system for several of its most-imported steel products. Under this system, imports exceeding established quotas are subject to a 25 percent import tariff. Aco Brasil also expects Brazilian steel exports to fall by 0.5 percent to 10.93 million tonnes in 2026.
Source: Argus Media, 1 October 2026. Report authored by Isabel Filgueiras.
Source: argusmedia.com