Steel Products Prices North America
U.S. Steel Exports Improve Further in August
Written by Brett Linton
October 13, 2020
U.S. steel exports recovered further in August, rising 15 percent from July to 551,372 net tons, according to recent U.S. Department of Commerce data. August levels are up 30 percent from June, and are up 56 percent compared to May (when exports were at the lowest levels seen in SMU’s 24-year data history). Total August exports are down 15 percent from levels one year ago.
The 2020 monthly average for exports has now inched up to 520,000 tons, still well below the average for 2019 of 616,000 tons.
Total August exports were above the three-month moving average (average of June through August 2020), but below the 12-month moving average (average of September 2019 through August 2020). Here is a detailed breakdown by product:
Cut plate exports increased 24 percent from July to 84,957 tons and were up 18 percent compared to one year ago.
Exports of coiled plate were 29,889 tons in August, up 4 percent over last month, but down 22 percent year over year.
Hot rolled steel exports rose 26 percent over July to 44,792 tons, down 13 percent from August 2019.
Exports of cold rolled products were 33,903 tons in August, up 31 percent from July, but down 28 percent over the same month last year.
Galvanized exports increased 12 percent month over month to 94,374 tons. Compared to levels one year ago, August was down 23 percent.
Exports of all other metallic coated products were 19,813 tons, up 25 percent from July and up 2 percent compared to one year ago.
Below are two graphs showing the history of U.S. steel exports through August data, in total and by product. To use their interactive features and see a longer history, view the graphs on our website by clicking here. If you need assistance logging into or navigating the website, contact us at info@SteelMarketUpdate.com.
Brett Linton
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Steel Products Prices North America
September Import Share of US Sheet and Plate Markets
Imported sheet and plate products arrived at US ports at a slower clip in September, accounting for a lower share of the domestic market for the third straight month. That’s according to a Steel Market Update analysis of import data from the US Commerce Department and domestic shipment figures from the American Iron and Steel […]
US Apparent Steel Supply Falls Further in September
US apparent steel supply eased further in September, down 8% from August to 8.29 million net tons, according to data from the US Department of Commerce and the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). As the lowest monthly figure since February 2021, this was a 19-month low. September supply was 10% below the average monthly rate […]
Northwest Pipe Reports Sharply Higher Q3 Results
Engineered pipe and tube producer Northwest Pipe Co. posted sharply higher profits for the third quarter ended Sept. 30. The Vancouver, Wash.-based company said the boost was driven by strong demand and increasing backlogs from its engineered pipeline systems and precast products, according to earnings data released on Tuesday, Nov. 8 All told, Northwest Pipe posted net […]
SMU Price Ranges: Flat-Rolled Steel Falls (Yet Again)
Sheet prices fell across the board again this week as the slow grind lower that we’ve seen since last spring continued to gain speed. Hot-rolled coil prices fell $30 per ton ($1.50 per cwt) week-over-week. Declines in coated products were more pronounced, with cold rolled down $55 per ton, galvanized down $35 per ton, and […]
US Steel Exports Slip 10% in September
US steel export volumes shrunk 10% from August to September, according to the latest US Commerce Department data. 723,000 net tons of steel products exited the country during the month, now the fourth-lowest monthly export rate over the past year and a half. Recall that exports levels in August were at the third-highest monthly rate […]