Steel Products Prices North America

Top 10 Galvanized Exporting Countries to USA 2008-2016 YTD

September 29, 2016

In light of the recent circumvention complaint against China/Vietnam we thought our readers would be interested in learning what countries have been in the top ten exporters of galvanized steel to the United States beginning in 2008 through July 2016.

Canada has consistently been a major supplier of galvanized to the U.S. market. SMU thinks our readers will be interested to know that Canada has been a growing supplier of GI to the U.S. market. Canada has two galvanized mills, ArcelorMittal Dofasco and US Steel Canada. Canada is on pace to exceed 1,000,000 net tons of GI exports if they maintain the pace they were on during the first 6 months of the year.

The second largest supplier in the recent past was China. In both 2014 and 2015 Chinese mills exported more than 700,000 tons of galvanized steel to the United States. One reason why China was hit with AD/CVD charges was the 250,000 tons or less being shipped to the U.S. in 2009-2013.

Prior to China taking control in 2014 and 2015 the second largest supplier was India. Indian tons began growing after the Great Recession was over, 2012 through 2014 before scaling back somewhat during 2015. India has traditionally been the main supplier of light gauge galvanized used in the HVAC industries in particular. India was hit with antidumping and all but one mill have essentially removed themselves from the market. However, Uttam Galva is still a player as they received a smaller AD margin and they continue to support their light gauge customers.

Almost equal with India is Korea which was also hit with antidumping but did not suffer large duties/cash deposits which has enable them to continue to ship. Korea is on pace to come close to 300,000 tons of GI exports to the U.S. this year.

The countries where we have seen significant growth since the CORE antidumping and countervailing duty suits were first filed in 2015 are:

Brazil: In 2014 Brazil exported 30,741 net tons to the United States. This year they are on pace to do close to 500,000 net tons (and this is after CSN’s issue with their blast furnace stopped shipments for awhile and they continue to catch up on their past due orders).

Vietnam: It has gone from 321 net tons in 2014 and is now on pace (prior to circumvention complaint) to do close to 300,000 net tons for the year.

Taiwan: This country continues to be a player even after being part of the CORE suit. Taiwan is on pace to ship close to their 2014 tonnage level which was 238,443 net tons.

South Africa: A supplier of light gauge HVAC products, South Africa has probably picked up some of the tonnage lost by India. In 2014 South Africa shipped 24,273 net tons and so far this year they have shipped 78,257 net tons and are on pace to do 150,000 net tons this year.

Australian: Tons from Australia have also increased so far this year and are on pace to ship 75,000 net tons. In 2014 Australia shipped 1,632 net tons.

One country that has not been in the top 10 at any point in time over the past 9 years, but is a name that you are hearing in the marketplace, is UAE (United Arab Emirates). In August 2016 UAE shipments of galvanized exceeded 4,000 tons in a single month for the first time (ever, to the best of our knowledge). UAE licenses are creeping up. This is another country that has conversion mills (like Vietnam) and uses Chinese substrate suppliers (and others).

Here is how each country’s tonnage graph looks since 2008 to today: