AsemconnectVietnam - In June of 2026, Vietnam's iron and steel exports reached 837,280 tonnes, valued at US$612.51 million, a decrease of 1.62% in volume but an increase of 0.07% in value compared to May of 2026; a decrease of 9.29% in volume but an increase of 1.15% in value compared to June of 2025.

The average export price of Vietnamese steel in June of 2026 reached US$732/tonne, an increase of 1.72% compared to May of 2026 and an increase of 11.52% compared to June of 2025.
Vietnam's steel exports to ASEAN experienced strong growth
In the first six months of 2026, Vietnam's iron and steel exports reached 5.55 million tonnes, valued at US$3.7 billion, a decrease of 1.79% in volume but an increase of 0.27% in value compared to the same period of 2025. The average export price of Vietnamese steel in the first six months of 2026 reached US$667/tonne, an increase of 2.09% compared to the same period of 2025.
The export market structure continued to shift towards diversification, with ASEAN maintaining its position as Vietnam's largest iron and steel export market, the United States and Brazil recording positive growth, while Vietnam's iron and steel exports to the EU and some Asian markets remain affected by weak consumer demand and trade protection measures.
ASEAN continued to be Vietnam's largest export market for iron and steel in the first six months of 2026, accounting for 33.92% of Vietnam's total steel exports. Vietnam's iron and steel exports to the ASEAN market in the first six months of 2026 reached 1.88 million tonnes, valued at US$1.15 billion, an increase of 7.58% in volume and 8.81% in value compared to the same period of 2025.
The EU was Vietnam's second largest iron and steel export market in the first six months of 2026, with 982,780 tonnes, valued at US$618.13 million, a decrease of 14.23% in volume and 19.88% in value compared to the same period of 2025. The average export price of iron and steel from Vietnam to the EU in the first six months of 2026 reached US$629/tonne, a decrease of 6.58% compared to the same period in 2025, due to increasing competitive pressure in the European market as well as the fact that steel consumption demand has not fully recovered.
The United States was Vietnam's third largest steel export market after ASEAN and the EU in the first six months of 2026, reaching 735,900 tonnes, valued at US$459.15 million, an increase of 35.14% in volume and 33.67% in value compared to the same period of 2025. The average export price of Vietnamese steel to the United States in the first six months of 2026 was US$624/tonne, a decrease of 1.09% compared to the same period of 2025. US demand for steel imports remains positive, especially for high-quality steel products that meet technical standards and are traceable. This is a positive sign given that the United States continues to maintain many trade protection measures against imported steel products.
Notably, Vietnam's steel exports to several emerging markets in the first six months of 2026 increased sharply in both volume and value compared to the same period in 2025, notably Brazil, Turkey, and Russia. Brazil was the fastest-growing market among the large-scale markets. Vietnam's iron and steel exports to Brazil in the first six months of 2026 reached 331,590 tonnes, valued at US$225.02 million, representing a 232.25% increase in volume and a 320.14% increase in value compared to the same period of 2025. This demonstrates that Vietnamese businesses have effectively capitalized on opportunities to expand their market share in South America. Turkey also recorded strong growth with exports reaching 138,940 tonnes, valued at 79.94%, an increase of 151.98% in volume and 114.6% in value compared to the same period in 2025, due to increased demand for imported steel raw materials for production in this market. Vietnam's iron and steel exports to Russia in the first six months of 2026 reached 10,910 tonnes, valued at US$18.94 million, an increase of nearly 20 times in volume and more than 33 times in value compared to the same period of 2025. Although the scale is not yet large, this is the market with the highest growth rate in the first six months of 2026.
CK
Source: VITIC