Steel Products Prices North America
U.S. Steel Exports Steady in July at 756,000 Tons
Written by Brett Linton
September 9, 2021
U.S. steel exports declined 3% in July to 756,000 tons, according to the latest U.S. Department of Commerce data. Although down from the month prior, July levels remain relatively strong compared to recent months. Recall that June saw the second highest monthly export level in the last three years (778,000 tons), just behind the April 2021 high of 790,000 tons. It was just last summer when we saw record low exports, with May 2020 levels reaching the lowest seen in 24 years at 374,000 tons.
Of our six monitored product groups in July, four products declined month-over-month and two increased.
Total exports for the first seven months of 2021 now equal 5.17 million tons, up from 3.81 million tons in the same period of 2020, and up from 4.55 million tons in the same period of 2019.
On a rolling 12-month average, exports reached a new high of 704,000 tons through July, and are now at a 28-month high.
Total July exports are less than 1% below the three-month moving average (average of May through July 2021), and 7% above the 12-month moving average (average of August 2020 through July 2021). Here is a detailed breakdown by product:
Cut-to-length plate exports were down 4% from June to 98,878 tons, but up 43% compared to one year ago.
Exports of coiled plate were 43,186 tons in July, down 8% from the prior month, but up 39% from levels seen one year earlier.
Hot rolled steel exports were flat from June at 82,202 tons, up 118% from the prior year.
Exports of cold rolled products were 62,857 tons in July, up 19% from June, and up 132% from the same time last year.
Galvanized exports decreased 13% month over month to 111,388 tons. Compared to levels one year ago, July was up 27%.
Exports of all other metallic-coated products were 24,993 tons, down 3% from June, but up 48% year-over-year.
We have an interactive graphing tool available on our website here where readers can further investigate historical export data in total and by product. An example is below. If you need assistance logging into or navigating the website, contact us at Info@SteelMarketUpdate.com.
By Brett Linton, Brett@SteelMarketUpdate.com
Brett Linton
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