HDG import offers not stirring much interest from US buyers

Since last week, Mexican mills have dropped their coated flat steel prices in the US, mirroring similar declines in US domestic spot prices over previous weeks, but other offshore mills aren't pushing for orders from the US. Mexican HDG 0.012"x40.875" G30 offer prices in the US are down $1.00 cwt. ($22/mt or $20/nt) since last week and can now be found between $45.00-$46.00 cwt. ($992-$1,014/mt or $900-$920/nt) DDP loaded truck delivered into Houston, while Mexican Galvalume 0.019x41.5625 Gr80/AZ55 prices have fallen $1.50 cwt. ($33/mt or $30/nt). With other common import sources for those two products--mainly China and India--keeping their offer prices unchanged over the last couple weeks, there is a decent amount of US buying activity south of the border, now that prices from Mexico are as much as $3.00 cwt. ($66/mt or $60/nt) below US domestic spot prices.

Neither Chinese, Indian or Taiwanese mills have lowered their offer prices in the US in the last couple weeks to be more competitive. The offshore sources aren't pushing for orders from the US, but most US buyers aren't willing to take the import risk at the moment, anyhow. However, trader sources tell SteelOrbis that they're hopeful the recent price increases in the US domestic market may spur some import order activity within the next few weeks.

**DDP loaded truck delivered into Houston