According to export data from the US Department of Commerce, US exports of light-shaped bar (merchant bar) totaled 4,567 mt in January this year, up 16.1 percent from December and up 13.1 percent year on year. By value, merchant bar exports totaled $5.98 million in January, compared to $5.02 million in the previous month and $4.58 million in the same month of 2025.
The US shipped the most merchant bar to Mexico in January with 2,934 mt, compared to 2,410 mt in December and 1,909 mt in January 2025. The other top export destination was Canada, with 1,579 mt. There were no other significant destinations (1,000 mt or more) for US merchant bar exports in January this year.