[SMM Iron & Steel] US Steel Exports Up 6% in March 2026 but Q1 Volume Lags Behind 2025

Published: May 12, 2026 10:29

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US steel exports totaled 611,043 net tons (nt) in March 2026, reflecting a 6% increase from February but a 2.1% decrease compared to March 2025. For the first quarter of 2026, total exports reached 1.76 million nt, down 3.8% year-on-year. Canada remained the largest destination with 294,625 nt (+5% from Feb), followed by Mexico with 222,086 nt (+1% from Feb). The monthly rebound suggests a modest recovery in cross-border manufacturing demand within North America, yet the overall quarterly decline highlights a softening in international appetite for US-produced steel amid high domestic price premiums compared to global benchmarks.

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