Preliminary Steel Imports Rebound 33% in March
04/28/2011 - The U.S. imported a total of 2,446,000 net tons of steel in March, up 33% from February final data according to the latest report from AISI. Finished steel imports increased 29% over the same period.
The U.S. imported a total of 2,446,000 net tons of steel in March, up 33% from February 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 March total also includes 1,850,000 net tons of finished steel, up 29% from February final data.
Annualized total steel imports in 2011 would be 25.6 million net tons, up 7% vs. 2010. Annualized finished steel imports would be 20.0 million net tons, up 6% vs. 2010.
Finished steel import market share in the first quarter was an estimated 20% and rose to 21% in March, the same level as it was for full year 2010.
Key finished steel products with significant import increases in March 2011 compared to February include
· Heavy structural shapes (+ 124%)
· Cold rolled sheets (+ 75%)
· Hot dip galvanized sheet and strip (+ 44%)
· Oil country goods (+ 32%)
· Hot rolled sheets (+ 29%).
Major products with significant year-to-date import increases vs. the same period last year include oil country goods (up 85%) and reinforcing bar (up 74%).
In March, the largest volumes of finished steel imports from offshore were from South Korea (229,000 net tons, up 23%), Japan (113,000 net tons, down 13%), Germany (96,000 net tons up 35%), Brazil (73,000 net tons, up 734%) and China (67,000 net tons, up 37%).
For the first 3 months of 2011, the largest offshore suppliers were South Korea (630,000 net tons, up 76%), Japan (372,000 net tons, up 11%) and Germany (264,000 net tons, up 29%).
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.
