• Skip to main content

    CRU

    October 20, 2023

    CRU: New US Sheet Capacity Will Influence 2024 Contracts

    Written by Josh Spoores

    Annual contract negotiations between buyers and mills in the US flat-rolled steel market are picking up pace as both look to lock in volume for the coming year. As these contracts are finalized, we expect that changes in the market will impact how 2024 contracts are ultimately structured. The primary change in the market is supply rising at a time of limited demand growth.

    Production Ramp Up of New EAF Mills Will Impact Contract Structure and Market Share

    Josh Spoores

    Josh Spoores joined CRU in 2012 as Principal Analyst and editor of CRU’s Steel Sheet Monitor and Steel Sheet Market Outlook. During that time, Mr. Spoores forecast prices, demand, production and trade of sheet and plate products for both Canada and the US for CRU's Steel Sheet & Plate Market Outlooks. Today, he heads up steel analysis and forecasting for the Americas region. Prior to joining CRU, he was a Senior Marketing Analyst at Severstal North America, founder of Steel Reality, a forward-looking market analysis firm using a models-based approach for flat rolled and plate steel. He was also the Market Research Manager at Majestic Steel USA, one of the largest flat rolled service centres in the USA. He has a BSc in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University.

    Read more from Josh Spoores

    Latest in CRU

    CRU: HR coil futures re-price 2027 forward curve

    CME Group’s hot-rolled coil futures have jumped higher as the loss of a reheating line at a large Southern mill have renewed domestic production issues. At market close on Oct. 12, the Q4'26 futures are now pricing in $1,295 per short ton (st) for HR coil, a month-over-month (m/m) increase of $63/st. For 2027, the forward curve is up $80 /st vs. September, at $1,207/st. For November 2026 through March 2027, prices are at an average just above $1,300/st.