Steel Imports Rebound 15% in April
05/29/2008 - The U.S. imported 2,944,000 net tons of steel in April 2008, a 15% increase vs. March final data, according to the latest report from AISI.
The U.S. imported a total of 2,944,000 net tons of steel in April 2008, a 15% increase vs. March 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 total includes 2,194,000 net tons of finished steel, up 4% vs. March final data.
For the first four months of 2008, total and finished steel imports are down 7 and 9%, respectively vs. the same period in 2007. However, the monthly average for finished steel imports in the most recent 3-month period (February to April 2008) is up 8% vs. monthly average in the previous 3 months (November 2007 to January 2008). On an annualized basis, total and finished steel imports on are down 4 and 5%, respectively, vs. 2007, with total annualized imports projected to reach 32 million net tons in 2008.
Key products with large increases in April compared to the month before include:
- Ingots, Billets, and Slabs, + 64%
- Hot Rolled Sheets, + 40%
- Reinforcing Bar, + 30%
- Wire Rods, + 92%
- Plates in Coil, + 33%
- Cold Finished Bar, + 32%
Products showing increases for the first four months of 2008 vs. the same period in 2007 include:
- Line Pipe, + 26%
- Oil Country Goods, + 18%
- Heavy Structural Shapes, + 10%
For April, the largest volumes of finished steel imports from offshore were from South Korea (211,000 net tons, +33%); China (at 180,000 net tons, -26% from March); Japan (169,000 net tons, +17%); Germany (146,000 net tons, + 79%); and Turkey (142,000 net tons, +368%).
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. AISI comprises 31 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 130 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry.
