For all of 2017, Beam final imports to the U.S. were down 4.3% year on year (y/y), totaling 534,488 tons. For the month of January, Beam imports totaled 20,887 tons down 49% from last January’s total of 40,987 tons. Year to date, (YTD) wide flange beams accounted for 71% of total beam imports, while standard beams accounted for 29%.

Figure 1 charts the largest exporting countries in rank order through January for both 2018 and 2017. Korea was the largest exporter at 8,289 tons to the U.S., down 11.6% YTD. Luxembourg sent 12,472 tons, down 54.0% y/y. Canada ranked third with 3,471 tons, up 50.3% y/y. Mexico, sent 3,246 tons of beams to the U.S. YTD, up 89.3% y/y. Spain sent 760 tons in January 2108, 74.4% lower than last January. The four country total of Korea, Luxembourg, Canada and Spain accounts for 90.0%, (18,789 tons) of U.S. beam imports YTD 2018.

The United Kingdom exported 167 tons in January 2018, up from 44 tons last year. Germany exported 116 tons through January, down 89.5% y/y. The UAE, Brazil, China, Japan and Czech Republic combined to ship an additional 55 tons in January. The January 2017 total was 6,623 tons with only UAE (6,253 tons) and China (371 tons) participating.

Table 1 shows the entry port into the U.S. for both January 2018 and January 2017 and the percentage change y/y. In 2017, Houston/Galveston was the largest receiving port for beams. Houston/Galveston did not offload any tons in January 2018.

This year through January, Philadelphia was the largest receiving port, offloading 3,839 tons, up 50.2% y/y. San Francisco held the number two spot with 3,746 tons, up 3.1% y/y. Laredo TX ranked third with 2,965 tons up 94.1% y/y. Boston was the next largest port bringing in 2,367 tons, a 241% y/y increase. Detroit took in 2,138 tons, a 102% y/y increase. Pembina ND received 2,024 tons of U.S. Beams, up from just 94 tons last January. Seattle landed 19,435 tons, climbing 117% y/y. Duluth MN offloaded 714 tons, down 63.2% y/y. Buffalo NY, took-in 699 tons, a 0.4% y/y increase. Ogdensburg NY offloaded 471 tons, off 47.8% y/y. El Paso TX took-in 195 tons for a 29.1% increase y/y.

San Diego, Great Falls MT, St. Albans NY, San Juan PR and Baltimore combined to receive 325 tons of beam imports in January 2018, 15.5% of the total volume YTD. Beams imports in January 2017 from the same country’s was 2,223, 5.4% of the total volume.

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.