Prices are still soft within the US import rebar market but interest is not terribly robust yet, sources say, as buyers remain cautious about ordering too soon. Overall demand for rebar in the US remains relatively strong compared to other steel products, and as prices for both import and domestic material continue trending downward, buyers are expected to replenish inventory levels in preparation for a potentially busier summer than usual. While much of that demand is expected to come from US-funded infrastructure projects that require domestic steel, sources say the overall increase in market activity should support higher prices across the board.
For now, US import rebar offers from Algeria are down $0.50 cwt. ($11/mt or $10/nt) week-on-week, to $41.50-$42.50 cwt. ($915-$937/mt or $830-850/nt) DDP loaded truck in US Gulf ports. Offers from Mexico, meanwhile, are at $45.50-$46.50 cwt. ($1,003-$1,025/mt or $910-$930/nt) DDP Houston, also down $0.50 cwt. from last week.