Steel Products Prices North America

March Apparent Steel Supply Inches Up But Remains Low
Written by Brett Linton
May 12, 2020
U.S apparent steel supply rose to 8.66 million net tons in March, according to recent U.S. Department of Commerce and American Iron and Steel Institute data. Although up over the previous month, March supply remains on the low-side historically and is the fourth lowest supply level seen in the past three years. Apparent steel supply, a proxy for demand, is determined by combining domestic steel shipments and finished U.S. steel imports, then deducting total U.S. steel exports.
March apparent supply was down 939,000 tons (9.8 percent) compared to the same month one year ago, when apparent supply was 9.60 million tons. This change was primarily due to a 526,000 ton decline in domestic shipments and a 338,000 ton decrease in finished imports.
The net trade balance between U.S. steel imports and exports was a surplus of 1,088,000 tons imported in March, up 25.6 percent from the prior month, but down 34.9 percent from one year ago. Recall that February’s net trade balance was the lowest level since December 2011. Finished steel imports accounted for 17.6 percent of apparent steel supply in March, up from 16.0 percent in February, but down from 19.4 percent one year ago.
Compared to the prior month when apparent steel supply was 8.49 million tons, March supply rose 176,000 tons or 2.1 percent. The increase was primarily due to a 169,000 ton increase in finished imports.
The figure below shows year-to-date averages for each statistic over the last five years. 2020 apparent supply was down over the first three months of 2019, more in line with the 2016 and 2017 YTD averages.
To see an interactive graphic of our Apparent Steel Supply history (examples above and below), visit the Apparent Steel Supply page in the Analysis section of the SMU website. If you need any assistance logging in or navigating the website, contact us at info@SteelMarketUpdate.com or 800-432-3475.

Brett Linton
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Steel Products Prices North America

Market says cutting interest rates will spur stalled domestic plate demand
Market sources say demand for domestic plate refuses to budge despite stagnating prices.

SMU Price Ranges: Some predict bottom is near as big discounts dry up
Sheet prices were mixed this week as some mills continued to offer significant discounts to larger buyers while others have shifted toward being more disciplined, market participants said.

SMU Price Ranges: Tags mixed as uncertainty weighs on market
SMU’s hot-rolled (HR) coil price held steady this week while prices for other sheet and plate products declined.

Nucor spot HR list price unchanged at $875/ton
Nucor kept its weekly list price for hot-rolled (HR) coil unchanged this week, following a price bump of $10 per short ton (st) last week.

SMU price ranges: Flat-rolled balloon continues to leak
Sheet and plate prices were flat or lower again this week on continued concerns about demand and higher production rates among US mills.