AIIS: U.S. Steel Imports Declined in February
03/31/2015 - U.S. steel imports dropped sharply in February 2015, with decreases from all trading partners of significant size – except Russia and China – according to analysis from the American Institute for International Steel (AIIS).
Imports fell 18.5% to 3.58 million tons from January to February 2015. This, though, was still 9% higher than in February 2014. The U.S. imported 544,000 tons of steel from the European Union, nearly 23% less than in January, but 4.7% more than last February. Among individual countries, South Korea sent the most steel to the United States in February – 480,000 tons, 42.6% less than the previous month, but 23.5% more than a year earlier. Imports from Brazil and Canada were nearly equal at 454,000 tons and 451,000 tons. These represented monthly decreases of 38% and 7.5%, respectively. Compared to February 2014, Brazil was down 7.2%, while Canada was up 7.6%. Imports from Russia increased by nearly 150% from January to 281,000 tons – though this was nearly one-third less than a year earlier – while 264,000 tons of imports from China were almost a third higher than the January total and nearly 50% more than last February’s number.
For the first two months of the year combined, imports of 7.98 million tons were nearly 23% ahead of the total during the same time in 2014. South Korea, the E.U. and Brazil have been the leading sellers of steel to the U.S. so far this year, at, respectively, 1.32 million tons (60.4% increase), 1.25 million tons (42.1% increase) and 1.19 million tons (42.9% increase).
Semifinished imports in February were down by more than a quarter compared to last February at 751,000 tons. The 1.57 million net ton total for January and February was 11.4% less than the first two months of 2014.
The steep decline in steel imports in February, at first, seems somewhat surprising, AIIS says. The United States has been economically healthier than many other parts of the world, of late, and the U.S. dollar is exceptionally strong, all of which generally bodes well for imports. The Census Bureau reported, though, that import decreases occurred “primarily in hot rolled sheets and oil country [tubular] goods.” This makes the numbers much less surprising. The falling price of oil has caused energy companies to cut back on drilling and fracking projects, which has reduced the demand for OCTG. South Korea is a major supplier of OCTG to the U.S., and that country alone accounted for nearly half of the January-to-February decline. The long-term trend of import increases remains – February’s numbers were nearly one-tenth higher than a year earlier – but if demand in the energy sector continues to weaken, it could have a noticeable impact on steel imports, and overall sales, this year.
The American Institute for International Steel is the only steel-related association that supports free trade. The Institute accomplishes its mission through advocacy, networking, communications, and education.
For the first two months of the year combined, imports of 7.98 million tons were nearly 23% ahead of the total during the same time in 2014. South Korea, the E.U. and Brazil have been the leading sellers of steel to the U.S. so far this year, at, respectively, 1.32 million tons (60.4% increase), 1.25 million tons (42.1% increase) and 1.19 million tons (42.9% increase).
Semifinished imports in February were down by more than a quarter compared to last February at 751,000 tons. The 1.57 million net ton total for January and February was 11.4% less than the first two months of 2014.
The steep decline in steel imports in February, at first, seems somewhat surprising, AIIS says. The United States has been economically healthier than many other parts of the world, of late, and the U.S. dollar is exceptionally strong, all of which generally bodes well for imports. The Census Bureau reported, though, that import decreases occurred “primarily in hot rolled sheets and oil country [tubular] goods.” This makes the numbers much less surprising. The falling price of oil has caused energy companies to cut back on drilling and fracking projects, which has reduced the demand for OCTG. South Korea is a major supplier of OCTG to the U.S., and that country alone accounted for nearly half of the January-to-February decline. The long-term trend of import increases remains – February’s numbers were nearly one-tenth higher than a year earlier – but if demand in the energy sector continues to weaken, it could have a noticeable impact on steel imports, and overall sales, this year.
The American Institute for International Steel is the only steel-related association that supports free trade. The Institute accomplishes its mission through advocacy, networking, communications, and education.
