Beam final imports to the US were down 2.3% year to date (YTD), year on year (y/y), totaling 343,965 tons for the seven months ending July 2017. For the month of July, Beam imports totaled 71,036 tons up 56.2% from the January through June average of 45,488.

Figure 1 charts the largest exporting countries in rank order on a YTD basis through July for both 2016 and 2017. Luxembourg was the largest exporter with 93,443 tons YTD, up 40.3% YTD y/y. For the month of July, Luxembourg’s volume was 24,681 tons up 115% over its January through June average of 11,460 tons. Korea sent 85,913 tons to the U.S. YTD, down 4.3% YTD y/y. For the month of July, Korea’s volume was up 15,135 tons, 28.3% higher than its January through June average. Spain ranked third YTD with 59,921 tons, falling 12.3% YTD y/y. For the month of July, Spain’s’ exports jumped 41.0% over its January to June average to 11,402 tons. The United Kingdom exported 30,867 tons, soaring 141% over its YTD 2016 tonnage. Volume in July was 10,304 tons, double its 3,427 ton January through June average. South Korea, Luxembourg, Spain and the United Kingdom volume adds to 270,144 tons for a combined 78.6% of total beam imports.

Mexico, sent 16,667 tons of beams to the U.S. YTD, down 40.1% y/y. For July, Mexico’s volume doubled to 3,979 tons, 88% higher than its 2,115 ton January to June average. Canada was the next largest with 13,872 tons, up 12.1% YTD y/y. Volume for the month of July was 996 tons, well down from its 2,146 YTD average.

Taiwan’s YTD y/y volume increased by 17.7% to 12,941 tons. July exports were 673 tons down 67% from its January to June average. The UAE sent 12,919 tons of beams to the U.S. down 13.8% YTD y/y. Shipment volumes have been very erratic ranging from zero tons shipped in February and April and July to 6,252 tons in January. Germany exported 12,916 tons through July, down 19.1% YTD y/y. July volume of 1,953 tons was 6.9% more than its January to June average tonnage of 1,827 tons. Brazil was the 10^th largest exporter of beams to the U.S. with 2,236 tons, up 124% YTD y/y. Brazil sent 1,953 tons in July, 9.2% greater than its January to June average of 2,153 tons.

Nine other countries exported a combined total of 12,271 tons, (3.6%) of beams to the US market YTD 2017.

Houston-Galveston was the largest receiving port, offloading 75,166 tons YTD, up 14.5% YTD y/y. Los Angeles held the number two spot with 59,743 tons, down 16.6% YTD y/y. Boston ranked third with 33,027 tons up 4.1% YTD y/y. Philadelphia was the next largest port bringing in 27,615 tons YTD, an increase of 14.4% y/y. Mobile received 19,911 tons, down 23.7% YTD y/y. Chicago offloaded 14,255 tons, up 64.2%, YTD y/y. Detroit took in 12,841 tons YTD, a 1.5% y/y increase.

Duluth unloaded 10,665 tons, spiking 142 % YTD y/y. Laredo TX was next with 10,538 tons, tumbling 45.8 % YTD y/y. San Francisco landed 10,241 tons of U.S. Beams, a 1.3% YTD y/y increase. Columbia-Snake had just two months of receipts YTD, in March and May. New Orleans, took-in 9,823 tons, a 118% YTD y/y increase. Tampa offloaded 6,274 tons through July, 43.2% less than in the first seven months of 2016.

Eighteen additional ports combined to receive 42,347 tons of Beam imports thus far in 2017, 16.8% of the total volume YTD.

At Gerdau we closely follow trade in long products steel since it has a profound impact on domestic market share and material pricing. We want you, our valued customers to have access to current information that can help you better plan and operate your businesses.