Steel Products Prices North America
U.S. Steel Exports Flat in August at 764,000 Tons
Written by Brett Linton
October 7, 2021
U.S. steel exports increased 1% from July to August at 764,000 tons, according to the latest U.S. Department of Commerce data. August levels remain in line with exports over the last few months. Recall that July 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 the market 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 August, three products increased month-over-month and three declined.
Total exports for the first eight months of 2021 reached 5.94 million tons, up from 4.39 million tons in the same period of 2020, and up from 5.24 million tons in the same period of 2019.
On a rolling 12-month average, exports reached a new high of 719,000 tons through August and are now at a 29-month high.
Total August exports are less than 1% below the three-month moving average (average of June through August 2021), and 6% above the 12-month moving average (average of September 2020 through August 2021). Here is a detailed breakdown by product:
Cut-to-length plate exports increased 16% from July to 114,684 tons, up 33% compared to one year ago.
Exports of coiled plate were 43,517 tons in August, up 1% from the prior month and up 28% from levels seen one year earlier.
Hot rolled steel exports were down 5% from July at 78,429 tons, but up 66% from the prior year.
Exports of cold rolled products were 52,379 tons in August, down 17% from July, but up 51% from the same time last year.
Galvanized exports decreased 5% month over month to 105,285 tons. Compared to levels one year ago, August was up 7%.
Exports of all other metallic-coated products were 30,133 tons, up 21% from July and up 43% 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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