US import rebar and wire rod prices were steady this week although they could be poised for an increase soon as reports continue of increased import demand as high US scrap prices continue to contribute to upward movement in US steel markets, making further room for imports, market insiders told SteelOrbis.
Following recent $20-30/gt higher settlements in US scrap markets, on February 12, steel makers Gerdau and Steel Dynamics Inc., announced a price increase of $40-60/ton on their posted prices for wide flange beams, standard beams, misc. beams, piling, and select angles and channels. That same day, Charlotte, North Carolina-based steelmaker Nucor announced another $30/ton ($1.50/cwt.) increase in its domestic wire rod pricing, with a later structural price increase sent to customers on Feb. 17. In both December and January, Nucor announced price increases for its rebar products. To date, no further rebar increase announcements have been forthcoming from Nucor.
And, while it remains unclear how soon and if, price increases across US wire rod markets will be accepted by the marketplace, insiders said the structural steel price increase are more likely to be accepted by the markets right away as a result of lower inventory levels.
“Raw material cost inflation (scrap) is now flowing through to finished steel pricing across structurals and rod,” said one Houston-based rebar importer. “Recent mill announcements and scrap settlements confirm that the North American long steel market is shifting from stable, to firm with upward momentum, heading into the spring construction season.”
During February scrap trade, shredded scrap in the US Ohio Valley increased $30/gt to $445-450/gt ($452-456/mt), while prime busheling scrap sold $30/gt higher at $445-455/gt ($451-461/mt). Since the new year, shredded scrap prices have risen more than 19 percent, while Midwest busheling scrap prices have increased a more modest 12.5 percent, SteelOrbis data shows.
“Wire rod could potentially trade $1.50/cwt., higher by the beginning of the (new) month,” said one Chicago-based steel insider. “But, on the structurals, the markets are most likely to accept the price increases now because supply remains fairly tight on beams.”
“Rod markets already were tight in select diameters,” added one US East Coast rebar insider in reaction to questions about recent mill price increases. “Scrap strength and improved order entry has allowed mills to push through recent price increases faster.”
On the US Gulf Coast, import rebar on a loaded truck basis is reported steady from week-ago levels at $44.00-45/cwt, following earlier declines. Insiders said delivery to US East Coast ports will add an additional $20/ton to $45.00-46/cwt., ($900-920/nt or $992-1,014/mt), also steady once again on the week.
Import insiders said South Korean producers may seek higher pricing following the New Years holiday, which began with the new moon on Feb. 17 and continues through the Lantern Festival on Monday, March 3.
For the moment, imported wire rod mesh on a DDP loaded truck US Gulf basis, is discussed steady on the week at $43.50-44.50/cwt., ($870-890/nt or $959-981/mt), though a price increase is likely soon.
“On the import side, all of the product currently coming into the US is South Korean,” said one US-based market insider. “More imports are available right now on the Gulf Coast, and we’re starting to see the imports reflected in the statistics.
According to data from the US Dept. of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA), Steel Import Monitor, total rebar imports from South Korea into the US were 23,800 metric tons in November 2025, up from 12,000 mt of actual imports reported one year prior. And while ITA’s rebar import license data is not always a one for one to actual imports reported, preliminary data for February 2026 shows a total of 57,300 mt of imports for the month, a nearly five-fold increase from the 12,200 mt of actual imports reported to ITA for all of February 2025.
Some insiders told SteelOrbis recently further US scrap-inspired price increases might not occur soon or might be more limited from US domestic mills, especially since additional upward movement in domestic pricing could further encourage the entry of additional imports over the next several months, crimping recent hard-earned growth to domestic steel mill market share, they said.
“Some importers are increasingly worried about ongoing levels of US demand,” added the Midwest-based long steel insider to SteelOrbis. “Given continued lackluster demand from the US construction sector, some are concerned that there may soon be too much supply chasing limited market, especially once additional US productive capacity comes on line later this year.” He continued. “I tend to be more optimistic than many, and don’t see much downside in the US market over the next six months as the US economy continues to grow despite claims by many that inflation would increase and stunt growth.”
Despite still mixed feelings about the effects of tariffs on longer-term US growth, data suggests steel demand could remain limited nearer term.
According to a recent report from the Dodge Construction Network, the Dodge Momentum Index (DMI) -which measures US construction activity and planning- declined 6.3 percent in January to 272.7 (2000=100) from a downward-revised December reading of 291. Over the month, commercial planning fell 7.2 percent and institutional planning momentum slumped 4.4 percent, the report said. And while monthly numbers were down, year-over-year comparisons were more encouraging, with the DMI index up 29% when compared with January 2025 levels, while the commercial segment was up 26 percent -up 17 percent when data centers are removed- and the institutional segment increased 34 percent over the same period.
“Planning momentum cooled in January across most commercial and institutional sectors,” said Associate Director of Forecasting at Dodge Construction Network, Sarah Martin. “Data center projects continue to lead the way, but after elevated activity in late 2025, most nonresidential sectors are now easing into a more sustainable growth pattern.”