STEEL IMPORTS HEADLINESSteel Imports
Preliminary Steel Imports Increase 23% in September
Oct. 28, 2009 The U.S. imported a total of 1,204,000 net tons of steel in September 2009, an increase of 23% compared to August final data, according to the latest report from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Based on preliminary Census Bureau data, the report shows that the September import total includes 1,024,000 net tons of finished steel, a 25% increase vs. August final data. These were the highest monthly import figures since April.
On an annualized basis, total steel imports are down 51% vs. 2008, while finished steel imports are down 45%. Annualizing total imports of steel in 2009 would result in 15.7 million net tons. Finished steel import market share, which was an estimated 16% in September, is at an estimated 23% year-to-date through nine months.
Key finished steel products with increases in September 2009 compared to August include
- Line pipe (up 99%)
- Oil country goods (up 76%)
- Cut length plates (up 52%)
- Heavy structural shapes (up 45%)
- Hot dipped galvanized sheets (up 43%)
- Hot rolled sheets (up 22%)
In September, the largest volumes of finished steel imports from offshore were from South Korea (64,000 net tons, down 26%), Japan (51,000 net tons, up 51%), Brazil (43,000 net tons, up 17%), Taiwan (42,000 net tons, up 171%) and China (42,000 net tons, up 33%). Based on the first nine months of 2009, finished imports from China would annualize at 1.7 million net tons, which would be 64% less than in 2008 but above any other offshore supplier.
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 24 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 138 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry.