According to the data released by the US International Trade Commission (ITC), US hot rolled coil (HRC) exports in December 2009 rose 209 percent year on year to 157,300 metric tons, while an increase of 4.58 percent was registered compared to November. Meanwhile, the total value of these exports amounted to $98.31 million, increasing by 145 percent year on year and down ten percent month on month.
In December, Canada was the largest HRC importer from the US market with 95,593 metric tons. Canada was followed by Mexico, with 31,310 metric tons, and by Saudi Arabia with 6,990 metric tons.
In December, the average export price of HRC from the US amounted to $625/mt, down $101/mt or 13.94 percent from November levels, and indicating a decrease of $164/mt or 20.75 percent from $788/mt in December 2008.
On the other hand, in 2009, US HRC exports totaled 1.28 million metric tons, decreasing by 29.65 percent, while the value of these imports amounted to $784.21 million, down 48.18 percent, both compared to 2008.
In 2009, 61.67 percent of US HRC exports were shipped to Canada, while 20.47 percent of total HRC exports were sent to Mexico.