A whopping 82% of buyers polled in March report an increase in steel prices, a dramatic increase from the 67% the month before. One contracts administrator in Purchasing's monthly buyer survey says his steel prices are up more than 30% since January. Examples include ArcelorMital's increase of all carbon steel plate by $100/ton and alloy steel plate by $140/ton, while most wire rod producers were pushing a $40/ton price increase in March.