United States Steel Export Statistics: April 2019

United States, one of the major steel producers in the world, witnessed a rise in exports of ferrous scrap and Iron Ore in April’19 while exports of coal and finished steel products witnessed a decrease, recent customs data showed. USA’s total crude steel production in April’19 stood at 7.43 MnT, marginally down by 4% Q-o-Q against 7.75 MnT of production in Mar’18.

Ferrous Scrap – US ferrous scrap exports showed a marginal rise in Apr’19 after witnessing low exports in early Q1 CY’19. It exported 1,476,986 MT ferrous scrap in Apr’19, rising 3% M-o-M as against 1,436,766 MT in Mar’19. On yearly premises, scrap exports increased by 2% Y-o-Y as against 1,503,644 MT ferrous scrap recorded in Apr’18.

Country wise – Turkey remained the largest importer occupying 14% share in total USA scrap exports, as it exported 201,173 MT in Apr’19 as against 371,985 MT in Mar’19, observing a drop of 45% M-o-M. Canada climbed to be 2nd largest importer with a 10% share, as it imported 154,358 MT in the month rising 111 % M-o-M. Other top scrap importers were Taiwan (145,547 MT, down 21% M-o-M), Malaysia (142,139, up 19% M-o-M) and Mexico (110,761 MT, down 3% M-o-M) with 10%, 10% and 8% share respectively.

US origin HMS 80:20 scrap export prices showed an upward trend in early Mar’19 as prices recovered by around USD 10/MT against Feb’19 since after which remained stable in the range of 320-325/MT, CFR Turkey throughout Mar’19.

Iron Ore – United States iron ore exports for the month of Apr’19 witnessed at 1,321,793 MT, up significantly by seven folds as against 190,685 MT in Mar’19. The exports picked up amid supply crunch from major miner Vale over movement in Gongo Soco mining pit. On yearly basis, exports increased 26% as compared to 1,048,317 MT in Apr’18. For CY19 (Jan-Apr’19), exports witnessed at 2,259,916 MT, down 8% as against 2,442,713MT in CY18 (Jan- Apr’18).

Country-wise – Canada marked the largest importer of US iron ore for the month at 930,790 MT, up sharply against 163,094 MT in Mar’19. Japan stood second largest importer at 339,196 MT followed by United Kingdom at 49,000 MT.

Coal – USA coal exports have totaled 10.74 MnT in Apr’19, down 6% M-o-M from 11.39 MnT in Mar’19, which was also 21% lower on the year from 13.62 MnT in Apr’18.

The weaker year-on-year comparison was due to exceptionally high exports in Apr’18, as US East Coast terminals worked through a backlog of shipments caused by freezing weather earlier in the year. Apparently, exports during Apr’18 had attained the highest monthly total for CY18. Following a comparatively weaker global demand, US coal exports have fallen 10% Y-o-Y to 43.92 MnT in the first 4 months of CY19.

Country-wise – India remained the largest coal receiver in Apr’19, despite recording a decline of 25% in monthly coal receipt from the US. The country had taken 1.64MnT coal during the month.

Finished Flat – As per the latest data released, USA flat steel exports inched down 1% on M-o-M basis and recorded at 407,300 MT in Apr’19 in comparison to 411,507 MT in preceding month.Whereas on yearly premise nation’s flat steel export plunged by 22% in Apr’19 as compared to 519,905 MT in corresponding month previous year. During first four months (Jan-Apr’19) CY’19 nation’s exports declined by 18% to 16,86,586 MT which was 20,60,751 MT in same time frame of CY’18.

Country-wise – USA majorly exports flat steel to Mexico and recorded at 202,109 MT in Apr’19, up by 7% in comparison to 188,859 MT in previous month. Following this USA also exported flat steel to Canada at 164,032 MT, India 4,718 MT and China at 3,334 MT in Apr’19.USA also exported to Pakistan, South Korea, Spain, Colombia and Belgium in smaller quantities in Apr’19.

Finished Long – USA exported 60,823 MT of finished long in April’19, dropping by 8% M-o-M against 66,115 MT in March’19. On an yearly premises imports witnessed a significant drop of 53 % Y-o-Y as against 130,605 MT ferrous scrap in April’18.

Country-wise – Canada remained the largest importer occupying a share of 62% in total scrap exports from USA in April’19. It imported 37,770 MT in Apr’19, witnessing a drop of 6% M-o-M against 40,162 MT imported in Mar’19. Followed by other prominent importers, Mexico (15,191 MT, up 5%) and Dominican Republic (2,515 MT, down 37% M-o-M), occupying 25% and 4% share respectably.

USA Steel Export Statistics April 2019 –

Quantity in MT,
Source: SteelMint Stats