Distributors/Service Centers
March 25, 2026
Written by Laura Miller
The galvanized sheet market continued to tighten in March as distributors and service centers reported firm demand, low inventory levels, and rising transportation costs. Participants on the monthly HARDI sheet metal and air-handling call on Tuesday described a market with constrained supply and steady upward pricing pressure.
The results of the latest Steel Market Update (SMU) flat-rolled market survey are now available on our website to all premium members.
The overall mill negotiation rate ticked up slightly this week, but the overwhelming majority of buyers are still finding mills inflexible on price, according to our latest survey data.
US sheet buyers have grappled with supply scarcity in both the spot and contract markets throughout 2026. Now the supply squeeze is spilling over into 2027, according to market participants.
SMU’s Mill Order Index (MOI) accelerated in August for a fourth consecutive month, reaching its strongest reading in nearly five years.
Tk accelis announced the launch of a new B2B steel buying and selling marketplace called steelbuy USA.