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    Steel Exports Reach 11 Month High in August

    Written by Brett Linton


    August steel exports totaled 812,010 net tons (736,644 metric tons), up 10.0 percent over July but down 1.7 percent from August 2015. This is the highest export level seen since August 2015, while last month we saw exports at a 7 month low (738,096 tons). Total August figures are above the thee month moving average (average of June, July, and August 2016 figures) and above the twelve month moving average (average of September 2015 through August 2016 data). Here is a breakdown of flat rolled and plate exports:

    Cut plate exports increased 2.4 percent from July to August to 103,175 tons, down 2.1 percent compared to levels one year prior.

    Brett Linton

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    Plate supply squeeze tightens as demand presses higher

    The domestic plate market is showing few signs of relief for steel buyers. Lead times are stretching well beyond seasonal norms, spot availability has all but evaporated, and mills are drawing hard lines on contract volumes heading into 2027 negotiations. And the supply squeeze will likely intensify in a market that some industry sources say is structurally undersupplied because of stringent US trade and tariff policies. Imports have been arriving in larger volumes, and the expectation is they will continue to tick higher into 2027. The big question is whether those foreign tons will arrive in volumes sufficient to provide the relief steel consumers want.