Wire rod pricing report – U.S. market

Wire rod pricing report – U.S. market

Pricing for imported low carbon wire rod has essentially remained unchanged i.e. $23.50 to $24.00 cwt., ($470 to $480/net ton or $518.09 to $529.11/metric ton) since our last report. Notable exceptions are Caribbean and Latin American drawing quality rods. Prices of $25.00 cwt. ($500/nt or $551.16/mt) and more have been noted. US rod mill are selling high carbon wire rod of the 1060 to 1070 grades at $28.00 to $29.00 cwt ($560 to $580/nt or $617.30 to $639.34/mt) FOB mill. Import prices have ranging $27.00 to $27.50 ($540 to $550/nt or $595.25 to $606.27/mt) delivered. Import prices often fluctuate because of unforeseen transportation costs. Some ship carrying rods had to be diverted to Houston and inland transportation from there is quite a bit higher than from New Orleans. In some instances barges are not available and rail shipments or even trucking has to be considered. After the latest round of price increases, the market became a bit more stable, particularly after scrap retreated somewhat.