Mumbai, Jan. 7 -- Within a week of the finance ministry imposing a safeguard duty on steel imports, domestic steelmakers raised prices across key products in early January.

Prices of hot-rolled coil (HRC) and cold-rolled coil (CRC) were increased by 2-4% on 3 January, after a 1.5-3% hike in late December 2025, according to commodities market intelligence firm Big Mint. Rebar prices were raised by nearly 3-6% in early January, following a hike of around 4% in late December.

The increases are expected to support the profitability of domestic steelmakers, who are in the midst of a significant capacity expansion drive, after subdued pricing over the last three months weighed on margins, analysts said.

The safeguard duty, announced on 30 De...