Report Period: April 29 – May 6, 2026
Analyst: Amy SteelInsights (amyinsights.com)
📌 Core Insights Snapshot (Full Version Contains 8–10 Detailed Bulletins)
- US Midwest HRC Hits 1,075/st–Highest Since May 2023 , marking the 16th consecutive weekly increase. Market participants confirm that demand – not just limited supply – is now driving the rally, powered by data centers, solar projects, and infrastructure spending.
- US Raw Steel Capacity Utilisation Reaches 80.4% – Highest Since July 2022. Weekly production hit 1.856 million net tons (+1.4% WoW). Record Q1 shipments from Nucor and Steel Dynamics confirm that demand is absorbing elevated output, with YTD production up 6.2% YoY.
- Algerian Rebar Hit with 127.32% Final AD Order; Wire Rod CVD Investigation Launched. Effective duties on Algerian long products now exceed 200% when combined with existing countervailing duties. Domestic US mills (Nucor, CMC, SDI, Gerdau) will capture the displaced volume.
- Canada Unveils CAD 1.5 Billion (USD 1.1 Billion) Aid Package for Tariff-Impacted Steel Firms. The BDC loan program offers zero-interest first-year loans, but CSPA warns it does not address the fundamental 50% US tariff barrier that has halved Canadian steel exports to the US.
- Mexico Targets 97% Steel Self-Sufficiency Under New Government-Industry Pact. With capacity utilisation at only 55–64% and imports currently supplying 42% of consumption, the plan combines public procurement preferences, tighter trade enforcement, and $8.5 billion in committed investments to reshape the import landscape.
- 💰 Price Snapshot (Abbreviated)
- Product Price This Week Trend Source
- US Midwest HRC (SMU avg) 1,075/st▲SMU,May 5 Nucor CSPHRC 1,070/st ▲ Nucor, May 4
- US Plate (SMU avg) 1,225/st▲SMU,May 5 US Rebar(FOBmill,post−CMChike)∗800–820/st ▲ ISA/Kallanish, May 4–5
- Canada HRC (Fastmarkets, fob mill) C54.96/cwt(54.96/cwt(795/st USD) ⏸️ Fastmarkets, Apr 14–17
💡 Sample Actionable Advice
For Procurement Managers:
✅ Secure Q2 flat-rolled requirements now – do not wait for a pullback. Nucor has raised prices 16 consecutive weeks (+110/stsinceJanuary20)andleadtimesextendtoAugustatsomemills.RecordQ1shipmentsand∗∗80.45–20/st**.
For Export Sales Managers:
⚠️ Redirect non-North American steel toward Canada and Mexico – the US market is structurally closed. With 50% Section 232 duties and expanding AD/CVD orders, the only US access path is through USMCA-compliant origin documentation. Canada remains import-dependent; Mexico imports 42% of its consumption, creating a near-term window despite the 97% self-sufficiency target.
Unlock the Full Report to Access:
- Complete pricing tables for HRC, CRC, HDG, Plate, Rebar, Pipe, and Billet across the US, Canada, and Mexico
- In-depth policy analysis: Algerian rebar AD order, wire rod CVD investigation, Canada CAD 1.5B aid package, and Mexico-Canacero self-sufficiency pact
- Detailed import viability matrix with Section 232 and AD/CVD duty calculations for all major origins
- USMCA bilateral negotiation preparation guide – audit supply chains before the May 25 round
- Exclusive “Buy/Sell/Hold” recommendations for 8 product categories
- Week-on-week comparison of all key metrics against the prior April 22–29 period
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📧 Questions or Custom Analysis? Contact Amy directly: amy@amyinsights.com