U.S. Preliminary Steel Imports Increase 5% in January
02/27/2013 - The American Iron and Steel Institute reported that the U.S. imported a total of 2,579,000 tons of steel in January, including 2,106,000 tons of finished steel (up 5% and 18%, respectively, vs. December final data).
Based on preliminary Census Bureau data, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported that the U.S. imported a total of 2,579,000 tons of steel in January, including 2,106,000 tons of finished steel (up 5% and 18%, respectively, vs. December final data). Year-to-date total and finished steel imports were 2,579,000 and 2,106,000 tons, respectively, down 8% and 4%, vs. the 2,815,000 and 2,204,000 tons, respectively, for the same period in 2012. Annualized total and finished steel imports in 2013 would be 31.0 and 25.3 million tons, respectively, down 8% and 2% vs. 2012. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 24% in January.
Key finished steel products with increases in January compared to December include reinforcing bar (up 97%), heavy structural shapes (up 79%), oil country goods (up 55%), hot dipped galvanized sheets and strip (up 47%), wire rods (up 26%), line pipe (up 23%) and hot rolled bars (up 16%).
