Steel Products Prices North America
U.S. Steel Exports Ease to Six-Month Low in September
Written by Brett Linton
November 11, 2021
U.S. steel exports decreased 4% from August to September to 732,000 tons, according to the latest U.S. Department of Commerce data. September marks the lowest monthly export level seen in six months. Recall that in March and June of this year, we saw the two highest monthly export levels in the last three years (790,000 and 778,000 tons, respectively. 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 September, three products increased month-over-month and three decreased.
Total exports for the first nine months of 2021 reached 6.67 million tons, up from 5.07 million tons in the same period of 2020, and up from 5.89 million tons in the same period of 2019.
On a rolling-12-month average, exports reached a new high of 724,000 tons through September and are now at a 30-month high.
Total September exports are 2% below the three-month moving average (average of July through September 2021), but 1% above the 12-month moving average (average of October 2020 through September 2021). Here is a detailed breakdown by product:
Cut-to-length plate exports decreased 10% from August to 102,844 tons, up 35% compared to one year ago.
Exports of coiled plate were 44,930 tons in September, up 3% from the prior month, but down 4% from levels this time last year.
Hot rolled steel exports were down 15% from August at 66,374 tons, down just 38 tons from one year prior.
Exports of cold rolled products were 55,599 tons in September, up 6% from August and up 17% from the same time last year.
Galvanized exports increased 1% month over month to 105,967 tons. Compared to levels one year ago, September was down 11%.
Exports of all other metallic-coated products were 29,335 tons, down 3% from August, but up 32% 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 shown 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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