US import HDG tonnages increase month-on-month

According to March 15 data from the US Department of Commerce, Enforcement and Compliance, the US imported a total of 205,677 mt (license data) of hot dipped galvanized sheets and strip during the month of February, which reflects a 11,101 mt month-on-month increase from January, when US import tonnages of hot dipped galvanized sheets and strip were recorded at 194,676 mt (census data).

The most significant offshore source of US import HDG during the month of February was Vietnam, at 25,342 mt (license data,) followed by Korea, which shipped 22,317 mt (license data) of hot dipped galvanized sheets and strip to US ports during that same time period.
Brazilian imports, however, decreased significantly in February from levels seen in January; February HDG import tons from Brazilian steelmakers have been recorded at 17,328 mt (license data) whereas January import tons have been recorded at 59,750 mt (census data.)

Current futures offer prices from Brazilian steelmakers for 0.019’ x41.5625’ Gr80/AZ55 Galvalume coil are unchanged week on week, at approximately $35.00 cwt. ($772/mt or $700/nt), DDP loaded truck US Gulf coast ports, although sources close to SteelOrbis continue to report that deals up to $0.50 cwt. ($11/mt or $10/nt) below this price may be available based on tonnage.

Average futures offer prices from Brazilian steelmakers for 0.12”x40.875” G30 coil are also unchanged week-on-week, at approximately $32-$33 cwt. ($705-$728/mt or $620-$660/nt), DDP loaded truck in US Gulf coast ports, but as with last week, SteelOrbis sources have indicated that that deals up to $1.50 cwt. ($33/mt or $30/nt) may be available based on tonnage.