US import HDG tonnages have fallen sharply year-over-year, but the fall-off began in the months leading up to the coronavirus pandemic. For example, in April 2020 the US imported 121,103 mt of hot dipped galvanized sheet and strip, compared to 215,649 mt in April, 2019.
The biggest drop in tonnages is from Canada, which shipped 22,558 mt in April of this year, compared to 80,868 mt in March. Shipments from South Africa also fell sharply between the months of March and April, from 13,468 mt in March, to 684.2 mt in April.
In terms of pricing, offshore offers have also fallen notably since March, as evidenced in the chart below. Buyers continue to report taking a cautious approach to the market, saying they’re keeping close tabs on the economy, the US presidential race, and the emergence of new domestic coronavirus infections and hotspots.
Current offer prices are listed in the chart below.
| 0.012” G30 HDG coil | $/cwt | $/mt | $/nt | Weekly change | Delivery |
| South Africa / UAE/ Vietnam / Korea | $43 +/- | $948/mt | $860/nt | neutral | DDP loaded truck in US Gulf ports |
| 12-Mar-20 | $49-$50 | $1,080-$1,102 | $980-$1,000 | N/A | DDP loaded truck in US Gulf ports |
| Galvalume coil 0.019x41.5625 Gr80/AZ55 | |||||
| Vietnam / Korea | $43-$44 | $948-$970/mt | $860-$880/nt | neutral | DDP loaded truck in US Gulf ports |
| 12-Mar-20 | $49-$51 | $1,080-$1,124/mt | $980-$1,020/nt | neutral | DDP loaded truck in US Gulf ports |