Preliminary Finished Steel Imports Decline 4% in July
08/25/2011 - The U.S. imported a total of 2,584,000 net tons of steel in July, down 5% from June final data, according to the latest report from AISI. Finished steel imports were down 4% over the same period.
The U.S. imported a total of 2,584,000 net tons of steel in July, down 5% from June final data, according to the latest report from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
The report, which is based on preliminary Census Bureau data, shows that the July total included 2,060,000 net tons of finished steel, down 4% from June final data.
Annualized total steel imports in 2011 would be 29.5 million net tons, up 23% vs. 2010, while finished steel imports would be 22.5 million net tons, up 20% vs. 2010.
Finished steel import market share in July was an estimated 23%; for the year to date, it is 23%.
Key finished steel products with significant import increases in July 2011 compared to June include hot rolled sheets (up 43%) and hot dip galvanized sheet and strip (up 11%).
Major products with significant YTD import increases vs. the same period last year include reinforcing bar (up 40%), hot rolled bars (up 35%) and oil country goods (up 32%).
In July, the largest volumes of finished steel imports from offshore were from South Korea (299,000 net tons, down 7%), China (155,000 net tons, down 4%), Japan (138,000 net tons, up 11%), Australia (104,000 net tons, up 167%) and Germany (86,000 net tons, up 39%).
For the first 7 months of 2011, the largest offshore suppliers have been South Korea (1,809,000 net tons, up 67%), Japan (895,000 net tons, up 20%) and China (716,000 net tons, up 53%).
AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. The Institute comprises 25 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 118 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry.
