According to export data from the US Department of Commerce, US exports of hot rolled sheets totaled 66,036 mt in December, down 10.9 percent from November but up 12.9 percent from December 2016 levels. By value, HRC exports totaled $49.7 million in December, compared to $52.3 million in the previous month and $41.5 million the same month last year.
The US shipped the most HRC to Mexico in December with 45,637 mt, compared to 54,189 mt in November and 40,421 mt in December 2016. Other top destinations included Canada, with 19,880 mt. There were no other significant destinations (1,000 mt or more) for US export HRC in December.
For the full-year 2017, US HRC exports totaled 906,099 mt, up 32.4 percent compared to 2016. By value, US HRC exports totaled $660.4 million in 2017, compared to $489.4 million in 2016.
The US shipped the most HRC to Mexico in 2017, with 581,049 mt. Other top destinations included Canada, with 319,378 mt; and Korea, with 1,300 mt.