Preliminary Steel Imports Down 10% in November
12/29/2011 - The U.S. imported a total of 2,107,000 net tons of steel in November, down 10% vs. the October final data according to the latest report from AISI. Finished steel imports were down 13% through the same period.
The U.S. imported a total of 2,107,000 net tons of steel in November, down 10% vs. the October final data according to the latest report form the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
The report, which was based on preliminary Census Bureau data, shows that the November total includes 1,646,000 net tons of finished steel, down 13% vs. October final data.
Annualized total steel imports in 2011 would be 28.8 million net tons, up 21% vs. 2010, while finished steel imports in 2011 would annualize at 22.1 million net tons, up 17% vs. 2010. Finished steel import market share in November was an estimated 20%; for the year to date, it is 22%.
Key finished steel products with significant import increases in November 2011 compared to October include plates in coils (up 15%) and reinforcing bars (up 10%). Major products with significant YTD import increases vs. the same period last year include
· Cut-length plates (up 61%)
· Plates in coils (up 37%)
· Line pipe (up 31%)
· Hot rolled bar (up 28%)
· Oil country goods (up 22%)
In November, the largest volumes of finished steel imports from offshore were from South Korea (193,000 net tons, down 10%), Japan (115,000 net tons, down 6%), The Netherlands (108,000 net tons, up 84%), China (82,000 net tons, down 29%) and India (66,000 net tons, up 49%).
For the first 11 months of 2011, the largest offshore suppliers have been South Korea (2,634,000 net tons, up 43%), Japan (1,349,000 net tons, up 10%) and China (1,144,000 net tons, up 44%).
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 120 associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry.
