Industrial buyers sourcing steel, rebar and structural materials across the Gulf are set to see a mixed pricing picture heading into the final quarter of 2026, according to data reviewed from regional mills and trading houses.

After two years of elevated prices driven by global supply constraints, raw material costs have started to stabilize — but new import duties introduced earlier this year are keeping landed costs higher than pre-2024 levels for buyers relying on imported stock.

What’s driving the shift?

Three factors are shaping the current market: easing freight costs from major exporters, a modest pickup in regional mill output, and continued policy uncertainty around tariffs on finished steel products entering the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

  • Freight rates from major exporting regions have dropped roughly 12% since the start of the year.
  • Domestic mill utilization in the UAE has increased, reducing reliance on imported billet.
  • Tariff schedules on finished rebar remain under review, creating short-term pricing uncertainty for buyers locking in Q4 contracts.


“Buyers who lock in supplier contracts before the tariff review concludes this quarter are likely to see more predictable pricing than those who wait.”

What this means for buyers?

For procurement teams sourcing structural steel or rebar for Q4 and Q1 projects, suppliers recommend confirming pricing terms early and asking directly whether a quote is fixed or subject to tariff adjustment clauses.

Quick take

Landed steel costs are down slightly from mid-year peaks but remain 9–14% above 2023 levels. Suppliers expect pricing to stabilize further once the tariff review concludes, expected by early Q1 2027.

Sourcing tips for this quarter

Suppliers listed on Tejario in the Building & Construction Materials category report steady inbound requirement volume, with buyers increasingly requesting fixed-price quotes rather than floating-rate contracts tied to raw material indices.

If you’re posting a requirement for structural steel or rebar this quarter, specifying your delivery timeline and quantity upfront tends to get faster, more accurate responses from verified suppliers.