Steel exports to US drop sharply in Jan-Jul 2026 as shipping disruptions hit trade
UAE steel exports to the US fell 38.3pct YoY to 129,626 tons in Jan-Jul 2026, with shipments dropping sharply from April as disruptions to Gulf shipping affected cargo movements and raised freight costs.
UAE exports had already started the year below 2025 levels, but shipments surged to 44,481 tons in March, up 110.5pct YoY. Exports then fell to 14,038 tons in April, before dropping to just 1,715 tons in May and 2,210 tons in June. July saw a partial recovery to 17,296 tons, although the volume remained 60.3pct below the same month of 2025.
Market insiders said the disruption affected both the availability and economics of shipments to the US. Several previously agreed contracts were dropped as freight costs increased, while the availability of bulk vessels subsequently became a major constraint.
A market insider told MESTEEL that containerized shipments to the US remain possible, although only around one to two vessels per month are currently serving the route and at higher freight and inland transportation rates. Bulk cargoes face greater difficulties, with longer berthing and waiting times at Fujairah adding to logistics uncertainty and detention costs.
Monthly steel exports to US by product:
| UAE Steel Exports to US by Product | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Pipe & Tube | Long | Flat | Stainless | Total |
| Jan-26 | 12,985 | 1,981 | 3,592 | 1,284 | 19,841 |
| Feb-26 | 24,483 | 1,629 | 2,508 | 1,424 | 30,044 |
| Mar-26 | 33,432 | 10,032 | 1 | 1,016 | 44,481 |
| Apr-26 | 10,846 | 2,619 | 240 | 333 | 14,038 |
| May-26 | 731 | 352 | 96 | 536 | 1,715 |
| Jun-26 | 81 | 1,662 | 0 | 467 | 2,210 |
| Jul-26 | 15,567 | 1,008 | 67 | 655 | 17,296 |
| Jan-Jul | 98,125 | 19,283 | 6,503 | 5,715 | 129,626 |
Pipe and tube accounted for 98,125 tons, or about 76pct of UAE steel exports to the US in Jan-Jul 2026, down 27.2pct YoY. Standard pipe exports fell 37.4pct to 57,841 tons, while oil country goods declined 9.2pct to 32,644 tons. Structural pipe and tube exports increased 21.6pct to 4,615 tons, while mechanical tube, nonclassified and line pipe shipments combined rose 10.8pct to 3,025 tons.
Long product exports fell 40.7pct YoY to 19,283 tons. Heavy structural shapes declined 48.7pct to 11,873 tons, while sheet piling was down 7.7pct to 5,727 tons and wire drawn exports fell 47.2pct to 1,681 tons.
Flat steel exports recorded the steepest decline among the major categories, falling 79.1pct to 6,503 tons. Exports of galvanized hot-dipped sheets and strip accounted for virtually all flat steel shipments during the period.
Stainless steel exports decreased 51pct to 5,715 tons. Stainless pipe and tubing fell 59.3pct to 2,409 tons, while stainless cold finished bars declined 53.3pct to 2,142 tons.
UAE steel exports to the US totaled 527,201 tons in full-year 2025.
UAE steel exports to US by product, Jan-Jul:
| UAE Steel Exports to US by Product, Jan-Jul | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product Group | Product | 2025 | 2026 | YoY (%) |
| Pipe & Tube | Standard Pipe | 92,361 | 57,841 | -37.4 |
| Oil Country Goods | 35,965 | 32,644 | -9.2 | |
| Structural Pipe & Tube | 3,794 | 4,615 | +21.6 | |
| Mechanical Tube / Nonclassified / Line Pipe | 2,730 | 3,025 | +10.8 | |
| Long | Heavy Structural Shapes | 23,144 | 11,873 | -48.7 |
| Sheet Piling | 6,206 | 5,727 | -7.7 | |
| Wire Drawn | 3,181 | 1,681 | -47.2 | |
| Flat | Galv. Hot Dipped Sheets and Strip | 31,165 | 6,503 | -79.1 |
| Stainless | Stainless Pipe & Tubing | 5,917 | 2,409 | -59.3 |
| Stainless Cold Finished Bars | 4,591 | 2,142 | -53.3 | |
| Stainless Wire Drawn | 1,045 | 849 | -18.8 | |
| Stainless Structural Pipe / Tube & Others | 209 | 188 | -10.2 |
Published by news.mesteel.com on 23 September 2026. Read it there ↗