If you’re involved in construction, manufacturing, or any industry that uses coated steel, chances are you’ve heard the term hot-dipped galvanized coil often called HDG coil. It’s basically steel that’s been coated with a layer of zinc to protect it from rust. This makes it a popular choice for things like roofing, fencing, appliances, and cars.
As with most raw materials, the price of HDG coil doesn’t stay still. It moves depending on how much is being made, how much people want to buy, and what’s happening in the world around us. Let’s take a look at how HDG coil prices have changed in Q2 2025 and what’s influencing the trends in China, the United States, and the UK.
China: Prices Fall on Weak Demand and Global Worries
In China, which is a major player in the steel world, the price of hot-dipped galvanized coil fell from $627 per metric ton in Q1 to $600 per metric ton in Q2 2025, according to PriceWatch. That’s about a 4.31% drop over the quarter.
What’s Behind the Price Drop?
The reasons are quite familiar:
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Low domestic demand: Inside China, the demand for HDG coil hasn’t been very strong. Construction and manufacturing, which usually drive a lot of steel usage, have been a bit slow.
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Sluggish exports: China usually exports a lot of steel, but right now, foreign buyers aren’t showing much interest. Part of that is due to a depreciating yuan, which affects how much other countries can afford to import.
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Economic uncertainty: Businesses are cautious because of ongoing worries about the global economy. When people aren’t sure what’s going to happen next, they tend to hold back on big purchases, especially in industries that use a lot of metal.
A Glimmer of Hope But It Didn’t Last
Interestingly, there was a short period of price improvement just before the Chinese New Year. This was mainly because of stockpiling (companies buying and storing more steel than usual) and a brief increase in raw material costs. But after the holidays, that momentum faded quickly.
Traders became more hesitant, and prices started falling again. Looking ahead, some recovery is expected, especially if the construction sector picks up. However, trade tensions and the possibility of anti-dumping investigations might still hold back China’s exports, making it hard for prices to rise much in the near future.
For latest updates, price queries, demand forecasts, and supplier information related to Hot Dipped Galvanized Coil prices, submit your request here: https://www.price-watch.ai/contact/
United States: Prices Edge Up Despite Sluggish Demand
Meanwhile, in the U.S., the price trend went in the opposite direction. According to PriceWatch, HDG coil prices increased by 1.55% in Q2 2025. That might not sound like a huge jump, but it’s still significant considering the market challenges.
What’s Causing the Price Increase?
There are a few key reasons:
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Trade restrictions and tariffs: Policies that limit imports are giving domestic producers more control over the market. This means they can raise prices without facing too much competition from abroad.
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Supply constraints: There wasn’t a lot of available steel in the market. When supply is tight, prices naturally go up.
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Strategic price hikes by mills: Big producers like U.S. Steel and Nucor raised their prices multiple times earlier this year. They pointed to higher scrap and raw material costs, but also wanted to increase the price gap between hot-rolled steel (a basic product) and coated steel like HDG coil, which is more specialized.
Buyers React: Some Hesitate, Some Rush
Not everyone was thrilled about these price hikes. End-user demand (from actual manufacturers and builders) remained a bit weak. But fear of even higher prices or limited supply led some buyers to purchase early just in case.
So, even though the demand side wasn’t particularly strong, the supply-side constraints and upward price pressure from mills kept prices from falling and actually pushed them slightly higher.
United Kingdom: Modest Price Rise Despite Market Caution
In the UK, HDG coil prices also went up in Q2 2025, by around 3.63%, according to PriceWatch. But this increase happened in a slightly more complicated environment.
The Situation on the Ground
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Weak demand: Much like in China and the U.S., there isn’t a huge rush of buying activity in the UK right now. Many buyers are still being cautious, waiting to see how the market unfolds.
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Cautious sentiment: Mills were willing to negotiate or lower prices to attract buyers because of this sluggish activity. But even with that, prices still managed to go up modestly.
Why Did Prices Still Increase?
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Limited supply: Domestic producers weren’t flooding the market with extra steel. They kept supply a bit tight, which helped support prices.
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Regulatory shifts: One key factor was uncertainty around CBAM the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, a new policy that will affect how carbon emissions are taxed on imported materials. This made buyers think twice and possibly buy ahead before regulations get stricter or prices shift.
Even with the market moving slowly, domestic mills were able to take advantage of these conditions and push through small price increases.
So, What’s the Big Picture?
Let’s sum it up:
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In China, HDG coil prices fell due to weak demand, a slow export market, and general economic worries.
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In the U.S., prices rose slightly, driven by supply constraints, trade barriers, and intentional price hikes by producers.
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In the UK, there was a modest price increase, even with hesitant demand, helped by regulatory changes and controlled supply.
What Can We Expect Going Forward?
It’s always hard to predict prices perfectly, but here’s what might shape the next few months:
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China could see a mild rebound if construction picks up, but international trade issues might continue to hold prices back.
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In the U.S., much will depend on how buyers respond to higher prices and whether demand in industries like auto and appliances starts to strengthen.
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For the UK, regulatory changes and broader European policies (like CBAM) will likely continue to play a big role in how prices move.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, prices for hot-dipped galvanized coil are moving in different directions around the world and that’s because every region is dealing with its own unique set of challenges and opportunities.
Whether you’re a buyer, seller, or just someone interested in how these trends affect the world of construction and manufacturing, keeping an eye on HDG coil prices helps you stay informed. These shifts, while sometimes small, can have a big impact on costs and business decisions across industries.
And as 2025 continues, it’ll be interesting to see whether demand bounces back enough to lift prices globally or if we’ll continue to see a mixed bag, depending on where you look.
