SMU Data and Models
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/media/k2/items/src/44cadadb67492f94c32d66fef9c427db.jpg)
SMU Premium-Level Report: HRC Imports by Region
Written by Tim Triplett
June 14, 2018
Editor’s Note: Not a Premium-level subscriber to SMU? See the sample Premium report below:
Hot-rolled coil imports in the first four months of the year increased by 38 percent nationally, but saw big variations regionally.
Imports can vary significantly from one region to another. Steel Market Update has produced import reports by product at the national level and detailed reports at the port level by source nation. This new analysis of U.S. International Trade Commission data plugs the gap between SMU’s other reports by identifying changes at the regional level. Produced for the first time this week are reports on hot rolled, cold rolled and hot-dipped galvanized steel.
Figure 1 shows the year-to-date change in HRC imports for each of seven regions and the change at the national level. The North Atlantic and North Pacific regions have had a small increase compared to the Gulf of Mexico, the Rio Grande Valley, the South Atlantic and South Pacific. The Great Lakes region, which currently has the highest volume of HRC imports, has experienced a 30.9 percent increase, a little below the 38.3 percent at the national level.
Figures 2, 3 and 4 show the history of HRC coil imports by region since March 2015 on a three-month moving average basis.
There has been a drastic decline of HRC imports into the Gulf region since early 2015. Tonnage coming across the river hasn’t changed much in three years and tonnage into the South Atlantic region is minimal.
The Great Lakes are currently receiving by far the highest volume of HRC imports with minimal tonnage into the North Atlantic ports.
Volume into the North Pacific ports of San Francisco, Columbia Snake and Seattle has fallen drastically since early 2016 and was almost zero in December 2017. There has been a small recovery in 2018. Tonnage into the South Pacific ports of San Diego and Los Angeles has been relatively consistent for over three years.
Executive-level subscribers can upgrade to Premium-level content by emailing info@SteelMarketUpdate.com or calling 772-245-8630.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/tim-triplett.jpeg)
Tim Triplett
Read more from Tim TriplettLatest in SMU Data and Models
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/Premium1.png)
Steelmaking raw material prices ease in July
The majority of steelmaking raw material prices declined in June, following the same trend seen in May, according to SMU’s latest analysis.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/cropped-SMU_Mobile_final.png)
SMU price ranges: HR declines moderate. Are we near a bottom?
SMU’s sheet price ranges slid again this week. But the declines were more pronounced on tandem products whereas prices for hot-rolled coil held roughly steady.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/Premium1.png)
Some SMU Key Market Indicators improve, others remain near historic lows
SMU’s Key Market Indicators include data on the economy, raw materials, manufacturing, construction, and steel sheet and long products. They offer a snapshot of current sentiment and the near-term expected trajectory of the economy. All told, nine key indicators point lower, 16 are neutral, and 13 point higher. One thing worth noting: The nine indicators pointing lower are all lagging indicators. Many of those pointing upward are leading indicators.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/cropped-SMU_Mobile_final.png)
SMU survey: Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices rebound
SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices both saw improvement this week. Current sentiment ticked higher but remains near the four-year low seen earlier this month. Future Sentiment continues to indicate that buyers are optimistic for future business conditions.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/Premium1.png)
SMU market survey results now available
The latest SMU market survey results are now available on our website to all premium members. After logging in at steelmarketupdate.com, visit the pricing and analysis tab and look under the “survey results” section for “latest survey results.” Historical survey results are also available under that selection. If you need help accessing the survey results, or if your […]