Steel Markets

October steel exports fall to 2023 low

December 8, 2023

US steel exports declined for the second month in a row in October, falling to the lowest monthly total so far in 2023.

Exports of all steel products totaled just over 728,200 net tons in October, the latest figures from the US Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration show. October’s exports are 7% lower than the month prior and 20% lower than the recent high of 914,018 tons recorded in May.

Looking at exports on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis, we can see exports falling off from the recent high of more than 886,600 tons in July. October’s 3MMA was just over 799,100 tons.

The 12-month moving average (12MMA) of exports, meanwhile, continues to trend upwards, rising to more than 793,000 tons in October.

Table 1 shows an analysis of flat-rolled steel exports for the month of October. Of note in the export data are coiled plate exports at a 10-month low and hot rolled exports at a six-month low. Exports of cut-to-length plate and cold-rolled sheet inched up during the month.

Looking at the 12MMAs of exports by product, we can see galvanized, hot rolled, cold rolled, and cut plate exports trending upwards to levels even with or even higher than exports during 2018. Exports of coiled plate, meanwhile, have been trending downward, while other metallic-coated exports are generally flat.

We have a graphing tool available on our website where readers can further investigate historical export data in total and by product.

Laura Miller

Laura Miller is a reporter and editor for Steel Market Update. Since 2007, she has held various editorial and marketing positions with steel industry publications, associations, and mills. In 2021, after a five-year hiatus working across other industries, she returned to steel trade journalism, joining SMU in 2022. She is a member of the Association of Women in the Metal Industries and a past-president of the AWMI Pittsburgh Chapter. She holds a BA in Latin American Studies from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. She can be reached at laura@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-759-7869.