Steel Products Prices North America

Final October Steel Imports Rise to 1.5 Million Tons
Written by Brett Linton
December 10, 2020
Commerce released final steel import data this week showing October imports totaling 1.51 million net tons, up 20 percent over the month prior. Although imports increased for the month, recall that September imports had fallen to an 11-year low or 1.26 million tons. November import licenses are currently at the 1.40 million ton level, but will continue to fluctuate over the next few weeks as data is processed.
Due to large month-to-month swings in semifinished imports, the chart below shows total monthly imports on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis in an attempt to more accurately display the U.S. steel import trend. The 3MMA for November is now 1.39 million tons, up slightly over October. The average monthly import level for 2020 is now 1.88 million tons through November license data.
Total finished imports in October are up 8 percent over the prior month, up to 1.27 million tons. Imports of semifinished products (mostly slabs) were 240,000 tons, up from 85,000 tons in September.
November import licenses are currently comprised of 1.34 million tons of finished product imports and 70,000 tons of semifinished steels.
The two charts below show monthly imports grouped by product category–flat rolled imports and pipe and tube imports. Both charts show 2020 levels are down over the previous year, much more so in the pipe and tube category than flat rolled. We have limited data here, but hope to expand in the future.

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

SMU Price Ranges: HR slips, hopes for Q4 rebound still standing
SMU’s price ranges were mixed again this week as the market continues to seek a floor amid industry hopes for a Q4 rebound.

Nucor’s hot band list price holds at $875/ton
Nucor held its hot-rolled coil list price flat again this week, according to its Monday, Sept. 15 consumer spot price (CSP) notice.

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.