Import HDG offers to the US move in separate directions

While some import prices have come down again in the past week, other offshore mills are attempting a price increase. China has attempted to raise its official CFR offer prices on exports to the US by about $20/mt in the last week, but trader sources say mills can be persuaded to be flexible. But while trader sales prices in the US on Chinese 0.019" x 48" G90 have increased accordingly by $1.00 cwt. ($22/mt or $20/nt) to $42.00-$43.00 cwt. ($926-$948/mt or $840-$860/nt) DDP loaded truck in US Gulf ports, trader sales prices on other products are unchanged. HDG 0.012"x40.875" G30 prices from China in the US, meanwhile, are steady from last week at $40.00-$41.00 cwt. ($882/mt or $904/mt or $800-$820/nt) DDP loaded truck in US Gulf ports. Traders tell SteelOrbis that they are taking a hit on margins right now because import demand in the US remains minimal and US domestic spot prices are falling too rapidly for most to consider making an offshore purchase.

But while Chinese mills have raised their prices, Indian mills have kept their offers to the US unchanged, and activity levels remain steady, but far from robust. Mexico, on the other hand, has once again lowered its prices to be more attractive in the US. Mexican Galvalume 0.019x41.5625 Gr80/AZ55 offers have fallen $2.00 cwt. ($44/mt or $40/nt) since last week and are now $40.00-$42.00 cwt. ($882-$926/mt or $800-$840/nt) DDP loaded truck in US Gulf ports, with some large deals heard slightly below. While Mexican offers for HDG have not officially moved, sources indicate that for a decent-sized order, prices could be negotiated down by as much as $1.00 cwt.

**DDP loaded truck delivered into Houston