Commodity Watch

Commodity Watch

Navigating Volatility in 2025

The supply chain is constantly evolving and we’re here to help you stay ahead. As we move deeper into 2025, global and domestic markets are feeling the weight of increasing tariffs, commodity fluctuations, and ongoing manufacturer price adjustments. From steel pipe to copper fittings, nearly every segment of the mechanical and industrial supply chain is feeling pressure—and that means staying informed is more important than ever.

HRC Steel Futures
Continuous Contract

816.00

-7.00 (-0.85%)

Last Updated: May 20, 2025 5:57 PM EDT
Delayed quote

Copper
Futures

4.6570

-0.0075 (-0.16%)

Last Updated: May 20, 2025 5:57 PM EDT
Delayed quote

Disclaimer: We strive to ensure all pricing and product information is accurate and up to date. However, CDS cannot guarantee the absence of errors or omissions. We recommend reaching out directly to confirm the most current information. Thank you!

Tariff Schedule

Announced February 4, 2025 – 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, as well as 10% tariffs on imports from China, but the next day announced a one-month pause on Canada and Mexico after reaching agreements with each country. Continued with the planned 10% tariffs on goods from China.

Announced March 4, 2025 – Previously announced tariffs went into effect with Canada, Mexico and China, but the Canada and Mexico ones were again paused.

Effective March 12, 2025 – 25% on all imported steel, including from countries previously exempt (Canada, Mexico, EU, Japan, etc.)

Effective April 2, 2025 – 10% on all imports, with higher “reciprocal” tariffs for specific countries

Effective April 9, 2025 – Higher tariffs were implemented, including a 125% tariff on Chinese imports, and a 20% tariff on European Union goods.

Effective April 9, 2025 – 90-Day pause on “reciprocal tariffs” for most countries, reverting their rates to the baseline of 10%. However, the 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum remained in effect.

Effective May 12, 2025 – US and China have agreed to a 90-Day pause on most tariffs that they have imposed on each other since last month, taking a big step toward easing the trade war between the two countries.

As of May 14, 2025

Recent Product Group Changes

Pipe & Tubing

Copper Tubing

2.5% Increase 2/7/25 – list and multiplier change

2.5% Increase 2/11/25 – multiplier change

3% Increase 2/14/25 – list price change

3% Increase 3/5/25 – list and multiplier change

2.5% Increase 3/7/25 – multiplier change

2.5% Increase 3/14/25 – multiplier change

4.5% Increase 3/20/25 – list and multiplier change

2.5% Increase 3/27/25 – multiplier change

4.5% Decrease 4/8/25 – list and multiplier change

4% Increase 4/23/25 – list and multiplier change

Domestic ERW Carbon Steel Pipe

5% Average increase 1/21/25

6.25% Average increase 2/5/25

6.25% Average increase 2/17/25

9% Average increase 2/27/25

7% Average increase 3/10/25

8% Average increase 3/21/25

Import Large Diameter ERW Carbon Steel Pipe

13% Average increase 2/14/25

10% Average increase 2/27/25

Domestic Carbon Seamless Pipe

20% Average increase 2/19/25

PVC DWV Pipe

5% Increase 1/21/25

7% Increase 4/14/25

Import Carbon Steel XH & Seamless Pipe

24% Increase 2/27/25

Fittings

Press Fittings

3-7% Average increase  3/1/25 Viega – ProPress Copper

5% Increase 2/10/25 Mueller Streamline

7% Increase 3/3/25 Mueller Streamline

20% Increase 5/1/25 Viega – ProPress Stainless, MegaPress

Copper WROT & Cast Fittings and Flanges

8% Increase 2/17/25

7% Increase 4/7/25 – list and multiplier change

Import Weld Fittings & Flanges

25% Average increase 2/18/25

4% Average increase 4/2/25

8%-14% Average increase 4/3/25

Victaulic

6% Increase 2/28/25

6.5% Increase 6/30/25

Cast Iron and Black Maleable Fittings

10% Increase 3/10/25

5%-25% Increase varies by item 4/14/25

5%-25% Increase varies by item 5/19/25

Previously announced increases effective 5/19/25 have been paused

PVC Fittings

5% Increase 2/1/25

Valves and Strainers

Bray

4.5% Increase 11/15/2024

2%-10% Increase varies by product 4/2/25

18% Increase, varies by product 4/16/25

Apollo

4% Increase on commercial & industrial ball valves (excludes press) 1/6/25

6% Increase on import ball valves  2/28/25

6% Increase on press ball valves 3/20/25

 

Increase notice 3/21/25

  • 12% Increase on import ball valves 4/4/25
  • 6% Increase on commercial & industrial ball valves 4/4/25

Increase notice 4/15/25

  • 68% Increase on import valves 4/16/25
  • 4% Increase all other products 5/5/25

Previously announced 68% increase on import valves has been reduced to 8% 5/16/25

Jomar

3% Increase 1/20/25

6% Increase import ball valves 3/31/25

66% Increase import ball valves 4/17/25

Reduced the 66% increase on import ball valves to a 12%

 

Mueller Steam Specialty

6% Increase on 1/6/25

10% Increase on 3/31/25

Nibco Valves

4% Increase Valves 1/3/25

6% Increase bronze & iron strainers 3/3/25

6% Increase bronze & iron strainers 3/31/25

60% Increase on Chinese products 4/15/25

40% Increase on iron products 4/15/25

12% Increase on all others 4/15/25

Previously announced increases are being updated to the below, effective 5/16/25

  • 60% Increase on Chinese products will now be 6%
  • 12% Increase on ball valves will now be 4%
  • 40% Increase on iron products will now be 6%

 

Keckley

6% Increase 2/13/25

60% Increase on strainers, checks & triple duty valves 4/17/25

Previously announced 60% increase on strainers, checks & triple duty valves has been lowered to 5% 5/16/25

Miscellaneous

Husky Couplings

15% Increase on standard duty couplings 3/7/25

8.5% Increase on SD4000 3/7/25

JR Smith

5% Increase 1/1/25

10% Increase 4/1/25

25% Increase 5/15/25

As of May 15, 2025

CDS Resources

Carbon Steel Historical Report

Historical Price Comparison Between 6” A53 ERW Domestic Steel Pipe and Front-Month Hot-Rolled Coil Futures Contracts.

Download

Copper Tube Historical Report

Historical Price Comparison Between 1/2” Type L Copper Tubing and Front-Month Copper Futures Contracts.

Download

As of May 14, 2025

Category Updates

Snapshot

Carbon Steel Pipe

Data center construction is a significant driver of domestic steel demand, and its growth has contributed to the overall consumption of steel in the US construction industry. While data centers represent a small portion of total construction spending, their rapid expansion, particularly over the last few years, has put pressure on steel prices. This demand, coupled with factors like megaprojects and tariffs, has led to higher steel prices, impacting data center construction costs. 

  • May HRC – down $60 from April at $845/NT
  • Steel lead times are now 4 to 6 weeks for HRC

Steel Pipe Supporting Documents & Resources


As of May 5, 2025

Category Updates

Snapshot

Carbon Steel Fittings and Flanges

Customers are reacting with increased spike in order activity and suppliers are adjusting to the increased demand. This is due to the potential impact of tariffs would have on future orders and to get ahead. Lead times remain standard from both master’s and our international sources for the Generic offering. We’re still seeing increased activity within the commercial sector around large capital projects that use Large Outer Diameter (LOD) products. ERW has increased about 41.5% since the beginning of 2025.

Import Date Change % Change
2/18/25 35% Average Increase
4/2/25 5% Average Increase
4/3/25 8-12% Varies by item

As of May 5, 2025

Category Updates

Snapshot

Copper Tube

Copper tube pricing has been on a steady upward trend, with manufacturers issuing multiple increases in quick succession. Tight supply and rising material costs are making copper one of the more volatile product categories this year.

Strong demand in the U.S. and China along with reports that both countries are ready to start tariff negotiations is also helping to push pricing higher. A weak dollar is another factor keeping copper elevated. The Comex is currently trading above $4.68 p/lb. and Futures remain in Contango.


As of April 7, 2025

Category Updates

Snapshot

Copper Fittings

Copper fittings are feeling the pressure from both material costs and manufacturer adjustments, with multiple brands announcing increases across WROT, cast, and press products throughout Q1.

  • 8% Increase 2/17/25
  • 7% Increase List and Multiplier Change 4/7/25

As of April 7, 2025

Category Updates

Snapshot

PVC DWV Update

While PVC DWV systems have remained relatively stable, recent tariff-related adjustments have introduced modest cost increases that buyers should keep an eye on.

  • 8% Increase 2/17/25
  • 7% Increase List and Multiplier Change 4/7/25