Industry experts insist that rising steel prices are triggered by rising input cost like scrap, iron ore and coking coal. The current international pricing scenario demands a prices increase domestically. The rising raw material costs and other available inputs as well as limited capex resources have driven the steel prices. The government has been taking steps to control prices by increasing the export duties on some commodities and even banning exports on some.
2008 is the year of the rat. The Chinese Zodiac says the year of the rat will be volatile for commodities and equities. However 2008 is the year of the Earth Rat, which is prosperous for the earth and metal industries.